C 


H 


/-       , 


LEWEY  AND  I, 


OR, 


SAILOR    BOYS'   WANDERINGS 


A  SEQUEL  TO  "ON    LAND   AND   SEA." 


~>1 

BY  WM.   H.    THOME S,     /£></-/<£ 

Author  of  "The  Gold  Hunters?'  '-Running  the  Blockade?  "The  Belle  of 

Australia;  or,  Who  Am  If"   "On  Land  and  Sea; 

or,  California  in  the   Years  1843, 

'44  and  '45,  etc.,  etc. 


[CORRECTED  AND  RBVISBD  FROM  BALLOU'S  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE.] 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  W.  P.  HOOPER,   OF  NEW  YORK. 


BOSTON: 

DEWOLFE,  FISKE  &  COMPANY, 

365  WASHINGTON  STREET. 
1885. 


COPYRIGHT,  1884,  BY  WM.  H.  THOMBS. 


Bcroh  Ubnatf 


To  WORSHIPFUL  BROTHER 
CAPTAIN  ALBERT  A.   FOLSOM, 

SUPERINTENDENT  OF   THE    BOSTON    AND    PROVIDENCE    RAILROAD, 

THIS   BOOK    OF    ADVENTURES    IN    CALIFORNIA,    DURING   THE    MEXICAN 

WAR,    IS    RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED.    WITH    FRATERNAL 

GREETING,    BY   THE    AUTHOR, 

WM.  II.  THOMES. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

SAN  DIEGO  IN  1846.  —  AN  OLD  SEAMAN'S  PROTEST.  —  DON  ANTONIO 
SANCHOS,  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO,  AND  HIS  SCARRED  HAND.  —  A  FORE- 
NOON'S SPORT.  —  OUR  DOG  JACK  AND  THE  TURTLE.  —  CAPTAIN  FITCH 
EXPRESSES  HIS  OPINION  IN  FORCIBLE  TERMS.  —  A  MYSTERIOUS  SHOT. 

—  THE   EXHIBITION,    AND    HOW    IT   WAS   INTERRUPTED. 

CHAPTER   II. 

DON  ANTONIO  SANCHOS  CREATES  A  SENSATION.  —  HE  CHARGES  ME 
WITH  BEING  A  SPY,  AND  AN  ENEMY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  —  AN  APPEAL 
TO  THE  ALCALDA.  —  SCOTCH  JACK  IS  FULL  OF  FIGHT  AND  AGUAR- 
DIENTE. —  THE  CALABOZO.  —  A  LITTLE  LOVE-MAKING.  —  AN  OATH  OF 
ALLEGIANCE.  —  THE  BLOW,  AND  SANCHOS  THREATS.  —  A  PLAN  FOR 
ESCAPE. 

CHAPTER    III. 

LEWEY  MAKES  LOVE,  AND  QUITE  SUCCESSFULLY. —DON  SANCHOS  PAYS 
US  A  VISIT,  AND  IS  CAUGHT  IN  A  TRAP. —  A  GALLANT  FIGHT  IN 
WHICH  OUR  DOG  TAKES  PART.  —  ESCAPE  FROM  THE  CALABOZO.  —  A 
VISIT  TO  THE  HIDE-HOUSE  BY  THE  MEXICANS.  —  AN  ATTACK,  AND  A 
DEFEAT. —  THE  SOIREE  WHICH  JACK  GAVE.  —  INDIGNANT  SAILORS 
AND  KANAKAS. —  THE  FIRE.  —  A  RETROSPECTION. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

PREPARATIONS  FOR  A  LONG  JOURNEY.  —  FAREWELL  TO  SAN  DIEGO.  — 
EN  ROUTE  TO  RANCHE  REFUGI  j.  —  A  VAQUERO  AND  BULL.  — THE 
LONELY  ADOBE  HOUSE,  AND  A  PRAIRIE-FLOWER.  —  THE  MOUNTAIN 
LION.  —  LEWEY  IS  AGAIN  IN  LOVE.  —  AN  INTERRUPTION  TO  A  MID- 
NIGHT COURTSHIP.  —  THE  THREAT.  —  WILD  INDIANS  ON  THE  TRAIL. 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  APACHE  ATTACK.  —  PAINTED  WARRIORS,  AND  THEIR  CHARGE.  — 
DEATH  TO  THE  INDIANS.  —  RETURN  TO  THE  RANCHE.  —  THE  GOVERN- 
MENT COURIER.  —  A  HORSE  TRADE.  —  OUR  JOURNEY  RESUMED.  — THE 
FEAST  OF  THE  BUZZARDS  AND  COYOTES.  —  TROUT  FISHING.  — RANCHE 
VALLECITO.  —  A  PROPOSITION.  —  THE  NIGHT  CAMP,  AND  A  STARTLING 
APPARITION. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

A  SURPRISED  GREETING. —A  MIDNIGHT  VISITOR.  —  AN  ANGRY  BEAR. — 
AN  OWL'S  HOOT.  —  A  BAND  OF  WARRIORS,  —  THE  CHIEF'S  COMMANDS. 

—  ESCAPING   WITH    OUR   SCALPS.  —  THE     SULPHUR     SPRING    AND   BATH. 

—  THE   RANCHERO'S    FEARS.  —  THE   NIGHT  CAMP   AT   THE  FOOT   OF   THE 
MOUNTAINS.  —  THE  PROWLING     LION.  —  HOMESICKNESS.  —  A     STRANGE 
MEETING. — THE     LONELY    CANYON, — LOS     ANGELES. — DON     SANCHOS 
APPEARS. 


Contents. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DON  ANTONIO  SANCHOS  MAKES  IT  UNPLEASANT,  AND  ACCUSES  US  OF 
MURDERING  THE  GOVERNMENT  COURIER.  —  TO  THE  CALABOZO.  — AN 
EXAMINATION,  AND  SURPRISE.  —  HEROES  OF  THE  DAY. — WANTED  FOR 
THE  ARMY.  -^X)FF  FOR  SANTA  BARBARA,  AND  INCIDENTS  ON  THE 
WAY.  —  THE  CAVALRY,  AND  ITS  HURRIED  MARCH.  —  SANTA  BARBARA, 
AND  SOME  OLD  ACQUAINTANCES.— RANCHE  REFUGIO,  AND  OUR  REECP- 
TION  BY  A  STRONG-MINDED  WOMAN. 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

A  MUTUAL  AGREEMENT.  —  AN  OLD  ACQUAINTANCE.  —  THE  RANCHE.  —  A 
FANDANGO,  AND  AN  UNEXPECTED  MEETING,  —  A  GRAND  SURPRISE  TO 
ALL.  —  DON  ANTONIO  SANCHOS  PUTS  IN  AN  APPEARANCE,  —  A  STRUG- 
GLE FOR  LIFE.  —  A  DISAPPOINTED  GREASER.  —  ON  THE  MARCH.  —  A 
SWIFT  EXECUTION.  —  A  LADY'S  GRATITUDE.  —  A  NEW  PROGRAMME.  — 
THE  ESCORT  AND  ENCAMPMENT. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

A  BRUSH  WITH  LADRONES.  —  A  YOUNG  LADY'S  MODE  OF  EXPRESSING 
THANKS.  —  THE  PEON'S  MURDER.  —  A  LONG  CONFESSION  — ON  THE 
MOUNTAIN  SIDE. —  THE  TRAPPERS.  — MONTEREY  ONCE  MORE.  —  DON 
SANCHOS  RECEIVES  A  BLOW. — THE  AMERICAN  CONSUL  EXPRESSES  AN 
OPINION.  —  AGREEABLE  QUARTERS.  —  AN  EARTHQUAKE,  AND  A  TU- 
MULT. —  AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  GENERAL  CASTRO.  —  ANTONIO  AND 
CARLOS  SANCHOS  ARE  SNUBBED.  —  A  DANGEROUS  MISSION  TO  CAP- 
TAIN FREMONT. 

CHAPTER   X. 

CAPTAIN  FREMONT'S  CAMP. —THE  MESSAGES  AND  DESPATCHES.  —  A 
NIGHT  SCENE  AROUND  A  FIRE.  —  THE  COYOTES'  CALL.  —  THE  LETTERS 

FOR  GENERAL  CASTRO  AND  MR.  LARKIN.  —  INSTRUCTIONS. —ON  THE 
TRAIL. — THE  INDIAN  WOMAN. —  THE  CAVALRY  SQUAD.  —  THE  SEARCH 
FOR  LETTERS.  —  GENERAL  CASTRO  IS  SURPRISED.  —  LEWEY  TELLS 
SOME  STORIES.  —  STORMING  THE  CAMP.  —  FISHING  IN  A  FOG.  —  THE 
AMERICAN  FRIGATE.  —  SPIES  ON  ALL  SIDES.  —  A  FRIENDLY  WARNING 

CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  ATTACK  ON  THE  HOUSE  AND  ITS  REPULSE.  —  EDWARDO  SANCHOS 
MEETS  A  JUST  FATE. —THE  RESCUING  PARTY  FROM  THE  FRIGATE 
CUMBERLAND. —  A  WINDFALL  OF  GOLD.  —THE  BREAKFAST.  — A  PRE- 
DICTION. —  HOISTING  THE  AMERICAN  FLAG  AT  MONTEREY.  —  A  LAST 
VIEW  OF  THE  TOWN.—  ON  THE  MARCH.  —  TERRIBLE  DEATH  OF  TWO 
WOMEN  AND  A  tiPEEDY  EXECUTION.  —  A  NIGHT  SCENE  ON  THE  BEACH. 

CHAPTER   XII. 

I  BID  SENORA  COSTELLO  FAREWELL,  AND  HAVE  NO  COMMENTS  TO  MAKE. 
-THE  MARCH  TO  LOS  ANGELES.  —  THE  BATTLE  AND  ITS  RESULTS.— 
ON  THE  ROUTE  TO  SAN  DIEGO.  —  A  LUCKY  FIND  OF  GOLD.  —  A  DIS- 
APPOINTMENT ALL  ROUND.  —  SAN  DIEGO.  —  SCOTCH  JACK  GIVES  US  A 
RECEPTION.  —  A  UNITED  STATES  FLEET.  —  OFF  FOR  MAZATLAND.  — 
HOME  AT  LAST.  —  LEWEY'S  BEAUTIFUL  SISTER.  —  A  HAPPY  LIFE  AND 
A  DARK  CLOUD.  —  THE  END. 


V 

^ Kr 


LEWEY  MD  I; 

OR, 

SAILOR    BOYS'   WANDERINGS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

SAN  DIEGO  IN  1846.  —  AN  OLD  SEAMAN'S  PROTEST.  —  DON  ANTONIO 
SANCHOS,  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO,  AND  HIS  SCARRED  HAND.  —  A  FORE- 
NOON'S SPORT.  —  OUR  DOG  JACK  AND  THE  TURTLE.  —  CAPTAIN  FITCH 
EXPRESSES  HIS  OPINION  IN  FORCIBLE  TERMS.  —  A  MYSTERIOUS  SHOT. 
—  THE  EXHIBITION,  AND  HOW  IT  WAS  INTERRUPTED. 

IT  will  he  remembered  that  the  ship  Admittance  had  sailed  from  San 
Diego,  California,  for  Boston,  in  January,  1846,  and  left  the  French  lad, 
Lewey,  and  myself  at  the  hide-house,  on  the  beach,  having  been  discharged, 
and  paid  off,  by  Captain  Peterson,  at  our  own  request.  We  had  simulated 
severe  sickness,  in  the  shape  of  smallpox,  so  successfully,  that  even  the 
quack  doctor  of  the  town  had  been  deceived,  as  well  as  the  officers  of  the 
vessel.  In  my  previous  work,  "  ON  LAND  AND  SEA,"  I  have  fully  pictured 
Lewey's  unhappiness,  as  -veil  as  my  own,  when  we  saw  the  old  ship  leave 
the  harbor,  and  pile  on  studding-sails,  alow  and  aloft,  as  she  passed  Point 
Loma,  and  shaped  her  course  —about  south  by  west  —  for  Cape  Horn  and 
home.  For  a  long  time  T  refused  to  be  comforted,  and  even  Lewey's  sun- 
ny nature,  encouraging  words,  cheerful  smiles,  and  glowing  pictures  of  the 
happy  lives  we  should  lead  as  free,  roving  rancheros,  husbands  of  Engracia 
and  Anita,  could  not  lift  the  weight  of  sorrow  from  my  heart,  as  T  thought 
of  home,  relatives,  and  what  a  fool  T  had  made  of  myself  in  remainingat  San 
Diego,  with  strangers  for  friends,  and  no  one  to  care  for  our  future  welfare 
except  an  old  shipmate,  —  Scotch  Jack,  —  who  had  charge  of  the  hide- 


Lewev  and  I. 


house,  and  Captain  Fitch,  a  merchant  of  the  town,  our  treasurer  and  guar- 
dian f  r  the  time  being,  a  very  clever  man,  but  who  had  cares  enough  of  his 
own  to  attend  to  without  bestowing  much  thought  on  two  comparatively 
unknown  sailor  boys,  who  were  not  supposed  to  have  position  or  influence 
at  home,  and  were  classed  with  the  usual  run  of  beach-combers,  we  sup- 
posed, for  I  did  not  know  at  the  time  that  my  old  master  had  made  a  very 
pronounced  report  to  Mr.  Fitch  in  my  behalf,  and,  perhaps,  gave  me  a 
better  reputation  than  I  had  reason  to  expect,  or  deserved.  Of  Lewey  he 
knew  nothing,  and  so  had  merely  stated  that  the  French  boy  was  smart, 
active,  and  impudent,  at  times,  and  likely  to  lead  a  good  lad,  like  myself, 
into  trouble,  unless  a  little  advice  was  given  me  at  stated  periods,  when 
it  was  supposed  I  should  need  it  most. 

Had  I  been  Lewey's  brother  he  could  not  have  treated  me  more  tenderly, 
or  done  more  to  make  me  forget  the  unfortunate  position  in  which  I  was 
placed,  through  his  skillful  inducements  and  persuasions  to  remain  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  link  our  fortunes  with  those  of  two  dark-haired,  dark  eyed  young 
females,  who  were  not  even  on  a  level  with  the  sailor  boys,  which  we 
chanced  to  be,  as  neither  of  the  girls  had  the  slightest  claims  to  an  educa- 
tion, and  could  not  read  nor  write  even  a  word  of  the  musical  language 
which  they  spoke  so  rapidly,  if  not  grammatically.  But  they  were  hand- 
some, and  had  the  most  willowy  and  graceful  forms  of  any  girls  of  their 
class  on  the  coast,  and  we  loved  them  with  all  of  a  boy's  ardor  and  passion- 
ate nature,  and  were  willing  to  forsake  homes  and  relatives  for  the  sake  of 
enjoying  their  companionship,  to  be  with  them,  and  pass  our  days  in  idle- 
ness, riding  horseback  over  ranches,  and  rounding  in  our  cattle,  in  imagi- 
nation, when  we  wanted  a  little  pleasant  excitement,  aside  from  fandangos 
and  cock-fighting. 

Lewey  saw  that  he  had  made  a  mistake,  but  he  did  not  let  it  appear, 
either  on  his  face  or  in  his  conversation.  To  me  he  represented  every- 
thing as  rose  colored,  and  that  there  was  no  occasion  for  anxiety,  or  care 
for  the  future.  There  were  brilliant  prospects  before  us,  he  said,  love,  hap-, 
piness,  and  wealth,  and  what  more  could  we  wish  on  our  part  ?  We  were 
now  our  own  masters,  and  could  do  as  we  pleased,  go  where  we  desired, 
and  need  care  for  no  one,  as  long  as  we  remained  honest,  and  treated  all 
with  respect,  and  consideration  befitting  their  rank. 

Notwithstanding  all  of  Lewey's  eagerness  to  make  my  position  a  pleas- 
ant one,  I  could  not  prevent  tears  from  flowing  every  time  I  was  alone,  or 
after  I  had  turned  into  my  bunk  for  the  night,  and  many  a  hearty  crying 
spell  did  T  indulge  in  during  the  long  and  dreary  hours  of  the  rainy  sea- 


Lewey  and  /. 


son,  when  the  floods  descended  upon  the  roof  of  the  hide-house,  and  the 
wind  swept  in  mournful  cadence  over  the  solitary  bay,  as  there  was  no  ves- 
sel at  anchor  in  the  harbor,  all  having  left  the  port  for  the  northern  part  of 
the  coast,  in  search  of  hides  and  tallow. 

More  than  a  dozen  times  did  I  find  Lewey  on  the  beach,  all  alone,  smok- 
ing his  short  black  pipe,  and  looking  toward  the  ocean,  as  though  watching 
for  the  old  ship,  hoping  that  something  had  happened  to  her,  and  thus 
cause  her  return  for  repairs.  But  the  French  lad,  as  soon  as  he  saw  that  I 
noted  his  dejection,  would  brighten  up,  and  let  a  smile  pass  over  his  hand- 
some face,  as  though  he  were  the  happiest  boy  in  the  country,  and  cared 
nothing  for  home  or  friends.  He  would  fling  at  me  a  gay  jeu  d'esprit,  or 
witty  saying,  and  ask  me  what  I  thought  Engracia  or  Anita  might  do  when 
they  saw  us  at  their  home,  with  our  pockets  full  of  dollars,  and  love  and  ad- 
miration in  our  hearts.  But  I  knew  that  Lewey  suffered  in  his  mind  as 
well  as  myself,  only  he  concealed  his  emotions  better  than  I  could,  and  was 
not  so  faint-hearted  under  adverse  circumstances.  He  strove  to  cheer  me 
when  he  needed  words  of  encouragement  himself,  poor  fellow,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  his  pillow  was  wet  with  tears  as  often  as  my  own,  only 
he  was  too  manly  to  confess  his  weakness,  or  make  me  a  confidant  of 
his  anxiety. 

One  forenoon,  about  a  week  after  th  --.  Admittance  had  sailed  for  home, 
and  when  we  had  exhausted  the  resources  of  the  hide-houses,  by  borrowing 
all  the  books,  and  reading  them,  to  be  found  on  the  beach,  time  hung 
heavily  on  our  hands,  as  we  did  not  want  to  start  on  our  long  journey  by 
land  for  Ranche  Refugio,  on  account  of  the  severe  rains  at  that  season  of 
the  year,  rendering  travel  extremely  unpleasant,  Lewey  and  I  sat  down  to 
breakfast,  in  company  with  Scotch  Jack  and  a  kanaka,  the  others  having 
been  discharged  when  the  ship  sailed,  as  there  was  no  work  for  them,  only 
about  one  thousand  hides  being  in  the  house,  and  two  men  could  cure 
them  in  time  for  shipment,  during  the  spells  of  sunshine,  which  did  come 
once  in  a  while  in  the  wet  season. 

"  Boys,"  said  Tack,  as  he  helped  himself  to  a  bountiful  supply  of  beef- 
steak, and  then  to  a  pot  of  coffee,  "  what  plans  have  you  made  for  the  fu- 
ture ?  You  don't  mean  to  remain  anchored  in  this  bloody  hole  all  your 
lives,  do  you  ?  " 

"  Are  you  tired  of  our  company,  Jack  ?  "  and,  with  a  faint  suspicion  that 
such  might  be  the  case,  I  asked  the  question  a  little  eagerly. 

"  No,  boys,"  was  the  ready  answer.  "  I  don't  tire  of  good  company  so 
easily.  Besides,  the  old  man  left  orders  to  keep  you  just  as  long  as  you  de- 


8  Lewcy  and  I. 


sired  to  remain.     But  you  had  some  object  in  leaving  the  ship,  and  I  wants 
to  know  what  it  is." 

"  We  mean  to  get  married,  and  settle  down  on  a  ranche,"  I  answered,  and 
then  a  sniff  of  deep  contempt  passed  over  the  weather-beaten,  rugged  face 
of  the  old  salt,  and  he  uttered  a  strong  expletive,  and  said,  — 

"Well,  of  all  the  young  greenhorns  and  fools  that  I  ever  seed,  you  is  the 
wusser  !  " 

"  Vy  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  as  he  filled  his  pipe,  preparatory  for  a  smoke,  and 
glanced  at  my  face,  to  see  how  the  announcement  affected  me. 

"  'Cos,  how  does  you  think  your  people  would  like  it  if  you  married  a 
bloody  greaser  ?  "  and  the  master  of  the  hide-house  uttered  a  deep  sniff  of 
disgust  as  he  looked  at  us  and  a  half-caste  Indian  woman,  who  was  wander- 
ing along  the  beach,  seeking  to  attract  the  notice  of  some  kanakas  who 
were  at  work  on  hides  in  the  premises  adjoining  our  own.  "  They  is  all 
alike,"  Jack  continued,  when  he  noticed  that  the  female  had  retraced  her 
steps  toward  the  town,  followed  by  the  hooting  yells  of  the  natives  of  the 
Sandwich  Islands.  "  Would  I  marry  a  greaser?  "  he  asked,  quite  severely. 

As  we  did  not  know  we  remained  discreetly  silent. 

"  Look  at  me,"  Jack  said.  "  I  'm  an  old,  battered  sailor-man,  but  there  's 
Scotch  blood  in  my  veins,  and  a  true  son  of  old  Scotland  never  disgraces 
his  name." 

Considering  that  Jack  got  drunk  as  often  as  he  had  a  chance,  we  thought 
this  boasting  a  little  premature,  although  the  man  was  as  honest  a  person 
as  there  was  in  California  at  the  time. 

"  Look  at  my  face,"  the  old  sailor  said,  "and  tell  me  what  for  should  I 
want  a  wife  ?  " 

It  was  a  hard-looking  face,  all  seamed  and  blackened  by  exposure  to  hot 
suns  and  heavy  gales  and  we  did  not  imagine  for  a  moment  that  a  woman 
would  be  likely  to  fall  in  love  with  it,  unless  there  was  wealth  to  back  it,  and 
Jack  was  not  rich  in  worldly  goods,  as  he  was  dependent  upon  his  fifteen 
dollars  per  month  for  support,  and  a  shot  in  the  locker  for  old  age. 

"  No,"  the  sailor  continued,  as  soon  as  he  had  got  his  pipe  well  under 
way,  "  a  man  is  best  off  without  a  wife,  for  what  could  I  do  with  one  if  I 
was  disposed  to  marry?  Take  my  advice,  and  keep  single,  like  me,  and 
when  you  come  to  my  years  and  wisdom,  splice  a  white  woman,  and  one  of 
your  kind,  and  see  to  it  that  she  has  a  little  property  to  fall  back  upon, 
when  you  takes  a  short  vip^e  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  quietness,  which  you 
can't  always  have  at  home  if  you  is  married.  But  no  greaser  for  me,  boys, 
and  none  for  you,  if  my  advice  is  followed." 


Lewcy  and  I. 


"  But  ve  loves  de  girls,"  pleaded  Lewey.  "  Dey  is  sich  nice  ones,  and 
dey  loves  us  so  much  dat  dey  vould  die  for  us  if  ve  vanted  dem  to." 

"  Bah  !  "  was  the  contemptuous  expression.  "  Don't  you  believes  yerself. 
They  all  say  that,  and  then  sell  you  out  at  the  first  chance  they  gets. 
Think  of  your  friends,  and  of  your  future,  and  let  the  women  alone,  if  you 
knows  what  is  good  for  yerself." 

This  was  kind  advice,  and  worthy  of  a  man  of  better  position  than 
Scotch  Jack,  and  we  should  have  done  well  to  have  heeded  it,  but  boys  in 
love  never  think  that  their  advisers  and  elders  know  anything,  so  of  course 
we  did  not  change  our  opinion  on  the  subject  that  was  nearest  our  hearts. 

"  If  I  supposed  for  a  moment  that  you  lads  was  goin'  to  make  fools  of 
yerselves,  blank  me  if  I  would  n't  clap  you  in  irons,  and  keep  you  on  bread 
and  water  till  I  'd  starved  the  nonsense  all  out  of  you,  that  's  what  I  VI  do  " 

We  laughed  at  the  words,  for  Jack  did  not  possess  the  power  to  carry  his 
threat  into  execution,  as  there  were  no  irons  on  the  beach,  and  I  doubt  if 
there  were  handcuffs  at  San  Diego,  as  lashings  of  rawhide  were  employed 
to  bind  refractory  Indians,  or  thieving  Mexicans  of  the  lower  class,  if  one 
should  be  arrested  accidentally,  and  held  for  trial. 

As  Jack  uttered  the  last  ominous  words,  our  dog,  the  lively  little  fellow 
we  had  bought  and  trained  a  year  or  two  before,  and  kept  on  board  the  Ad- 
mittance until  we  were  removed  to  the  shore,  with  pretended  symptoms  of 
the  smallpox,  uttered  several  ominous  growls,  got  up  from  under  the  table, 
and  walked  toward  the  door,  sniffing  and  barking. 

"  Some  greaser  is  near  the  house,"  said  the  Scotchman.  "  You  can  al- 
ways tell  by  Jack's  movements.  He  do  so  hate  a  Mexican;  one  of  the 
thieving  class." 

Our  dog  Jack,  ever  since  the  noted  fight  with  the  vaquero's  mastiff,  had  a 
great  antipathy  to  the  poorer  class  of  Mexicans,  and  never  allowed  one  to 
venture  near  the  hide-house  until  he  had  uttered  a  protest. 

As  we  drew  back  from  the  table,  for  the  purpose  of  going  to  the  door,  and 
seeing  who  approached  our  premises,  a  tall,  lank,  swarthy  Mexican,  with 
serape  around  liis  shoulders,  and  broad-brimmed  sombrero  on  his  head, 
covering  a  shock  of  thick  black  hair  that  nad  never  known  brush  or  comb, 
darkened  the  entrance  of  our  house,  and  stood  fcr  a  moment  at  the  thresh- 
hold,  gazing  at  us  and  the  dog,  as  though  he  did  not  know  which  was  the 
most  dangerous,  for  Jack  was  sniffing  at  his  heels,  and  had  not  quite  made 
up  his  mind  from  what  part  cf  the  greaser's  body  he  should  take  a  mouthful, 
and  the  Mexican  seemed  disposed  to  kick  the  dog,  or  else  assail  him  with 
the  long  knife  that  he  carried  in  a  sheath  in  his  leggings. 


io  Lcwey  and  I. 


"  Come  here,  Jack,"  I  said  in  a  stern  tone,  and  the  little  bull-dog  obeyed, 
but  did  so  reluctantly,  and,  while  retreating  to  his  quaners,  under  the  table, 
uttered  indignant  protests,  in  thi  shape  of  savage  growls. 

"  Buenos  dias,  caballeros,"  the  new-comer  said,  doffing  his  heavy  hat, 
with  a  stately  grace  that  even  the  poorest  Mexican  beggar  can  assume, 
when  it  suits  his  purpose  to  be  polite  and  courteous  to  those  whom  he 
meets,  even  if  he  hates  them  with  an  undying  hatred,  and  the  fellow  who 
stood  at  the  door  had  occasion  to  dislike  Lewey  and  myself,  as  we  afterward 
discovered,  to  our  sorrow. 

"  Buenos  dias,  senor,"  Lewey  responded,  in  a  careless  manner.  "  Be 
pleased  to  enter,  and  take  a  seat." 

The  Mexican  did  not  respond  to  the  invitation  for  some  reason,  but  stood 
in  the  doorway,  and  looked  at  Lewey  and  myself  as  though  he  was  endeav- 
oring to  recall  our  faces  to  his  mind, 

"You  do  not  remember  me,"  the  Mexican  said,  in  a  pleasant  tone.  "  I 
have  met  you  two  young  caballeros  quite  often  in  San  Francisco.  Do  you 
know  me,  senors  ?  " 

Yes,  we  recollected  him  quite  well,  now  that  he  spoke,  and  smiled  on  us 
in  such  a  friendly  manner.  It  was  Antonio  Sanchos,  of  Yerba  Buena,  one 
of  three  brothers,  and  greater  scoundrels,  and  more  cruel,  blood-thirsty 
monsters  never  existed  in  the  country,  previous  to  its  annexation.  They 
were  named  respectively  Antonio,  Carlos,  and  Edwardo,  and  were  ugly  and 
treacherous  in  the  order  mentioned,  the  first  being  the  eldest,  and  considered 
the  leader  of  the  gang.  They  would  steal  and.  murder  all  who  were  thrown 
in  their  way,  unless  the  intended  victim  was  well  armed,  and  then  they 
were  too  crafty  to  make  an  open  attack. 

"  We  remember  you,"  said  Lewey,  speaking  in  Spanish.  "  You  are  Don 
Antonio  Sanchos,"  giving  the  fellow  his  full  title  as  a  compliment,  knowing 
it  would  please  him. 

The  Mexican  bowed,  and  a  smile  passed  over  his  dark,  hairy  face,  as  he 
liked  the  designation  of  don,  —  to  which  he  was  not  entitled,  —  the  same  as 
some  people  Jike  to  be  called  "  :  honorable,"  or  "  general,"  in  this  part  of 
the  world,  un$4r  the  impression  that  no  one  will  discover  the  deception, 
and  that  thtfy  will  be  elevated  in  a  social  scale  by  the  aid  of  a  handle  to 
their  names. 

^Corne  and  have  a  drop  of  coffee,"  T  said,  for  the  fellow  did  not  move 
from  his  position,  but  still  stood  near  the  door,  smiling,  and  rubbing  his 


"  Ah,   senor,  a  thousand  thanks  for  your  kind  offer,"  the   Mexican  re- 


Lewey  and  I.  \  \ 


plied.  "  In  your  invitation  I  see  the  generous  hospitality  of  los  Ameri- 
canos. They  never  refuse  a  hungry  man  a  bite  or  a  drink." 

He  moved  toward  the  table,  and  the  dog  growled  ominously,  as  though 
to  warn  us  that  there  was  danger  in  the  smiling,  sneaking  scoundrel  who 
was  about  to  partake  of  our  breakfast. 

"  Will  the  dog  bite,  senors  ? "  the  fellow  asked,  drawing  back  a  little 
from  the  vicinity  of  Jack's  teeth. 

"  Not  unless  he  is  told  to  do  so,"  I  said.  "  Be  quiet,  Jack.  The  Mexi- 
can is  our  guest." 

Even  this  did  not  seem  to  assure  Jack  that  all  was  right,  for  he  walked 
across  the  room,  still  growling,  and  showing  his  teeth,  laid  down  in  a  cor- 
ner, and  watched  the  greaser  with  his  fierce,  wicked-looking  eyes,  as 
though  longing  for  an  encouraging  word,  so  that  he  could  spring,  and  bite 
one  whom  he  considered  an  enemy  to  us  and  our  surroundings. 

"Thanks,  caballeros,"  Don  Sanchos  said,  as  he  raised  a  pot  of  coffee  to 
his  lips.  "  I  'm  glad  to  meet  my  American  friends  once  more.  It  is  a 
great  pleasure,  I  assure  you." 

"  I  'm  no  American,"  Lewey  cried,  in  his  usual  thoughtless  manner. 
"  I  'm  a  Frenchman,  and  would  not  change  my  flag  for  all  the  nations  of  the 
world.  Wherever  you  see  fun  and  frolic,  there  you  will  find  one  of  my 
countrymen.  Where  the  fight  is  the  thickest,  there  you  will  meet  my  peo- 
ple leading  the  van.  Yes,  I  'm  French,  and  next  to  the  belle  nation  comes 
the  Americano." 

Luckily  Scotch  Jack  did  not  understand  half  a  dozen  words  that  Lewey 
uttered,  as  he  was  speaking  in  Spanish,  so  there  was  no  occasion  for  a 
quarrel,  as  the  old  sailor,  although  he  had  sailed  for  years  in  the  American 
merchant  marine,  was  a  little  tenacious  on  the  subject  of  Scottish  rights, 
and  great  deeds,  as  he  had  reason  to  be  from  the  records  of  his  country. 

"  This  caballero  is  also  French  ?  "  asked  the  Mexican,  pointing  to  me, 
and  smiling,  as  he  sipped  his  coffee. 

"No,"  said  Lewey,  "he  boasts  of  being  a  full-blooded  American,  and 
thinks  that  his  people  can  lick  all  the  world  with  one  hand  tied,  and  a  foot 
thrown  out  of  gear.  He  is  Yankee  all  over,  as  any  one  can  see  ;  but  he  is 
good  enough  for  a  Frenchman  though." 

"  Ah,  yes,  he  one  nice  Americano,"  and  the  greaser  looked  for  a  mo- 
ment as  though  he  did  not  like  me,  and  then  set  his  pot  of  hot  coffee  on 
the  table,  and  slowly  rubbed  his  right  hand  over  his  left,  where  a  livid  scar 
was  to  be  seen,  an  inch  and  a  half  long. 

I  knew  that  scar,  and  how  he  had  received  it,  and  the  sight  made  me  feel 


12  Lewey  and  /. 


a  little  uncomfortable  for  a  moment,  as  I  thought  of  all  the  circumstances  oi 
the  past,  and  why  the  fellow  had  been  injured.  Then  I  looked  up,  and 
saw  that  Lewey's  eyes  had  followed  my  own,  and  we  exchanged  glances 
that  were  full  of  significant  meaning,  and  once  more  we  began  to  think  that 
we  had  made  a  deep  mistake  in  remaining  in  California  instead  of  going 
home  on  the  Admittance. 

The  greaser  noted  the  expression  that  was  on  both  of  our  faces,  and  I 
thought  I  detected  a  flash  of  his  sinister  eyes  that  did  not  speak  of  good 
intentions,  but  he  betrayed  no  further  irritation,  even  if  he  did  continue  to 
rub  the  scar  that  showed  so  vividly  on  his  dark,  dirty  hand. 

There  was  something  fascinating  in  the  Mexican's  movements,  and  I  sat 
and  looked  at  him  and  the  old  wound,  and  recalled  all  the  circumstances  of 
how  it  was  given,  nearly  a  year  before. 

We  were  at  Yerba  Buena,  and  one  day  Antonio  Sanchos  had  been  on 
board  the  ship  to  do  a  little  trading,  or  stealing,  just  as  the  occasion  served. 
He  did  not  buy  much,  and  when  we  set  him  on  shore,  in  company  with 
three  ladies,  he  had  crowded  one  of  them  so  much,  in  a  rude  and  vulgar 
manner,  in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  boat,  that  she  complained  to  me  about 
the  incivility  of  the  greaser.  I  asked  him  to  give  the  ladies  more  room, 
and  to  take  a  seat  on  a  vacant  thwart,  but,  instead  of  doing  so,  consigned 
me  and  the  women  to  a  pLce  much  warmer  than  San  Diego  in  the  sum- 
mer-time. As  I  knew  the  greaser  was  cowardly  at  heart,  and  more  coward- 
ly than  ever  on  the  water,  for  fear  that  he  would  get  wet,  I  dropped  the 
yoke-lines,  by  which  I  was  steering  the  boat,  told  the  boys  to  stop  rowing, 
caught  the  fellow  by  the  long  hair  of  his  head,  gave  him  a  sudden  jerk, 
and  threw  him  under  a  thwart,  and  then  Lewey  put  his  foot  on  the  man's 
neck,  and  held  him  captive  until  we  beached  the  boat,  when  the  ladies 
landed,  and  thanked  me  for  the  protection  which  I  had  granted  them. 

The  Mexican  did  not  dare  vent  his  spite  on  the  women,  as  they  were 
members  of  influential  families,  with  fathers  and  husbands,  brothers  and 
cousins,  who  would  have  revenged  a  premeditated  insult  with  instant  death, 
or  have  set  a  hundred  wild  Indians  on  the  whole  race  of  Sanchos,  and  ex- 
terminated them  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  consequently  Antonio,  as  soon 
as  Lewey  removed  his  foot  frora  the  prostrate  neck,  sprang  to  his  feel, 
drew  a  long  knife  from  his  legging,  and  made  a  lunge  at  the  French  lad 
that  would  have  ended  his  adventurous  career  then  and  there,  and  the 
Gaulic  nation  might  have  lost  a  good  and  brave  admiral,  who  is  now  serv- 
ing his  country  with  honor,  in  great  hopes  of  sometime  making  it  as 
grand  and  warlike  as  before  the  disasters  in  front  of  the  German  hosts. 


Lewey  and  I.  13 


At  this  time  I  happened  to  have  the  boat-hook  in  my  hand,  for  the  purpose 
of  pushing  the  boat  further  on  the  beach,  and,  as  I  noted  the  greaser's 
threatened  move,  struck  at  the  weapon,  and  Levvey  was  saved.  Then,  as 
Sanchos  stooped  to  pick  up  the  knife,  with  deep  curses  on  his  lips,  I  saw 
that  he  meant  more  mischief,  so  just  jabbed  his  hand  with  the  point  of  the 
boat-hook,  and  the  result  was  a  yell,  more  imprecations,  and  a  bad  wound 
that  caused  him  to  carry  his  hand  in  a  sling  for  many  a  day,  and  to  forego 
all  thoughts  o  killing  any  one  on  the  beach.  The  wound  had  healed,  but 
the  scar  remained,  and  so  did  the  memory  of  the  injury,  as  I  could  tell  by 
the  man's  face,  for  this  was  the  first  time  I  had  seen  him  since  the  fracas. 
The  incidents  had  almost  passed  from  my  mind,  as  I  did  not  consider 
them  cf  sufficient  consequence  to  remember,  we  had  so  many  adventures 
while  hide-droghing,  and  Lewey  was  constantly  in  hot  water,  on  some  ac- 
count or  other. 

"Do  you  I:  low,"  said  Lewey,  speaking  in  French,  "  I  really  believe  this 
thief  of  the  world  recollects  that  punch  of  the  boat-hook,  which  you  gave 
him  at  San  Francisco,  at  the  time  he  cut  at  me  with  his  knife,  and  you 
saved  my  life  " 

"•  If  such  is  the  case,  what  brings  him  here  ?  He  seems  friendly  enough 
at  the  present  time,"  I  answered. 

The  greaser  listened  attentively,  but  he  could  not  comprehend  a  word 
that  we  uttered,  neither  did  he  know  anything  of  the  PInglish  tongue,  but 
we  feared  he  might. 

"  This  fellow  is  like  a  woman,"  the  irrepressible  Lewey  said.  '•  He  is 
smiling  and  rubbing  his  wound  at  the  same  time.  No  one  does  that  but  a 
female  who  desires  revenge  for  some  fancied  injuries,  and  so  abides  her 
time  before  she  is  ready  to  show  her  claws,  and  scratch.  Thorn,  we  must 
watch  this  man,  and  be  on  our  guard.  He  means  mischief,  I  believe." 

"  Nonsense  !  Do  you  think  he  would  come  to  us,  when  it  might  be  just 
as  easy  to  keep  at  a  distance,  and  remain  unknown  ?  I  think  he  has  for- 
given and  forgotten  all  about  the  jab  of  the  boat-hook." 

"  Don't  you  believe  it.  A  greaser's  memory  is  long,  and  his  revenge  is  a 
family  trait,  born  in  the  blood,  and  never  eradicated  until  death.  I  have  a 
great  mind  to  shoot  the  cur  as  he  sits  here  at  the  table,  and  so  end  his  ca- 
reer, and  ensure  our  safety  at  the  same  time,"  Lewey  said. 

"  Bosh  !  don't  talk  like  a  bravo.  You  are  incapable  of  killing  one  of  the 
numerous  geese  that  is  flying  over  the  bay,  without  shedding  tears  and  de- 
livering a  funeral  oration  over  the  remains.  You  have  not  got  down  to  a 
level  with  a  murderer  just  yet,  and  talk  to  keep  your  tongue  going." 


14  Lewey  and  I. 


Lewey  smiled,  as  though  he  could  not  deny  the  charge,  and  then  Scotch 
Jack  and  the  kanaka  left  the  room  to  look  after  some  hides  in  the  vats,  as 
they  did  not  find  the  French  or  Spanish  languages  particularly  pleasant, 
not  being  able  to  understand  them. 

Sanchos,  while  we  were  conversing,  looked  from  Lewey's  face  to  my 
own,  as  if  to  read  our  thoughts,  as  he  could  not  comprehend  our  words. 
Then  he  quietly  rubbed  his  old  wound,  as  if  to  quicken  his  ideas  and  're- 
membrances of  the  past. 

"Is  the  master  of  the  house  an  American  ?  "  asked  Sanchos,  as  the  old 
sailor  disappeared. 

"  No ;  he  is  a  Scotchman,  and  a  good  fellow  in  the  bargain,"  I  said. 

"  Bueno,"  was  ihe  response. 

"  What  is  good  ?  "  asked  the  French  lad,  i'n  an  abrupt  tone. 

"  The  man.  The  maestre  de  casa.  He  is  a  Scotchman.  We  like  the 
Scotch." 

"  And  the  French  ?  "  asked  Lewey. 

"  Oh,  we  adore  the  French,"  was  the  answer,  in  a  sneering  tone. 

"  And  the  Americanos  ?  "  I  said. 

"  Ah,  what  friends  we  are  !  No  one  can  adore  the  Yankees  as  the  Mexi- 
cans do.  They  come  here  and  trade,  and  marry  our  women,  get  rich,  and 
lead  such  lazy  lives.  We  envy  them  for  their  enterprise  and  desire  to  make 
money.  Oh,  yes,  we  all  love  the  gringoes.  They  are  so  good." 

Here  he  rubbed  his  scar,  and  smiled  on  us,  but  it  was  not  a  pleasant 
smile. 

"  We  think  of  marrying  in  a  few  weeks,"  Lewey  said,  in  a  careless  tone, 
as  though  it  was  an  every  day  occurrence  on  our  part. 

"  May  I  ask  the  names  of  the  fortunate  senoritas?  "  demanded  the  Mexi- 
can, with  a  grin  that  did  not  become  his  dark,  dirty  face. 

"  Oh,  yes.  They  are  called  Anita  and  Engracia,  and  reside  at  Ranche 
Refugio.  We  have  been  acquainted  with  them  for  many  months,"  said  the 
impulsive  and  frank-spoken  Lewey,  who  always  made  a  confidant  of  every 
one  about  his  love  affairs. 

"  Anita  and  Engracia,"  repeated  the  greaser,  and  once  more  rubbed  his 
scar.  "  I  shall  remember  those  names  for  a  long  time,  and  hope  to  wish 
you  joy  on  your  bridal  day.  It  will  be  very  pleasant." 

Here  the  dog  uttered  an  ominous  growl,  and  walked  toward  the  Mexican, 
and  sniffed  at  his  feet,  as  though  anxious  for  a  bite  of  his  flesh. 

"  You  left  the  ship  for  the  sake  of  the  senoritas? "  demanded  the  greaser, 
as  soon  as  we  had  called  off  the  brute. 


Lewey  and  I. 


"  Oh,  yes,  we  like  California,  the  people,  and  the  filles,"  Lewey  remarked. 
"  Especially  the  latter." 

"  Then  you  have  applied  for  matriculador  papers  ?  "  the  greaser  inquired, 
as  he  finished  his  coffee. 

"  What  are  matriculador  papers  ?  "  I  asked,  for  I  had  never  before  heard 
of  such  documents.  In  fact,  matriculador  was  a  new  Spanish  word,  and  we 
wjre  anxious  to  learn  its  meaning. 

"  Matriculador,"  responded  the  greaser,  "  means  to  register  before  the 
alcalda  of  a  town  that  you  intend  to  take  up  your  residence  in  the  country, 
and  in  time  becorre  a  citizen  of  California,  after  being  naturalized,  and  tak- 
ing an  oath  of  allegiance  to  Mexico.  It  is  an  important  step  toward  secur- 
ing the  protection  and  good  will  of  the  people." 

"  Then  it  is  necessary  that  we  should  be  registered?"  we  asked,  a  little 
dismayed,  for  we  had  never  before  heard  of  the  regulation,  and  there  was 
no  reason  why  we  should,  as  it  was  a  matter  that  did  not  seem  to  concern 
us.  We  supposed  that  California  was  a  free  country,  where  one  could 
come  and  go  at  pleasure,  but  we  were  mistaken. 

'•  Certainly  it  is  important,"  the  Mexican  remarked,  as  he  arose  from  the 
table.  "  But  if  you  ship  on  board  some  American  vessel  there  will  be  no 
occasion  for  papers.  I  suppose  that  you  know  your  own  minds,  and  what 
you  intend  to  do." 

"  Certainly.  We  mean  to  marry,  and  purchase  a  ranche,"  Lewey  and  I 
responded. 

"  Ah,  well,  there  is  no  hurry.  Take  your  time  about  it.  You  have 
treated  me  so  well  that  perhaps  I  may  be  able  to  help  you  in  a  way  that  is 
quite  unexpected,"  and  then  the  Mexican  smiled,  and  rubbed  the  livid  scar 
on  his  right  hand,  and,  to  speak  frankly,  we  did  not  like  his  grin,  or  the 
way  in  which  he  constantly  irritated  the  old  wound,  inflicted  when  we  little 
thought  that  the  greaser  would  become  involved  in  our  insignificant  fortunes. 

"  Muchos  gracious,"  we  both  exclaimed,  and  we  thought  the  fellow  was 
not  as  bad  as  we  supposed  him  to  be  when  we  first  met  him  at  Yerba 
Buena.  He  spoke  fairly  enough. 

Sanchos  grinned,  and  walked  toward  the  door,  followed  by  Lewey  and 
myself,  and  Jack,  the  dog.  The  brute  did  not  seem  to  lose  any  of  his  ani- 
mosity by  the  departure  of  the  greaser,  for  he  continued  to  growl,  and  show 
signs  of  a  desire  to  fasten  on  one  of  the  Mexican's  legs,  and  we  had  to 
speak  sharply  to  induce  the  animal  to  keep  at  a  distance. 

"  A  nice  dog,"  the  Mexican  said,  but  there  was  an  evil  look  in  his  dark, 
fU.-Miing  eyes  as  he  uttered  the  words.  "  He  is  not  like  his  masters,  for  he 


1 6  Lewey  and  I. 


does  not  know  a  friend  from  an  enemy.  Well,  adios.  I  must  re  mm  to 
San  Diego,  as  I  have  business  there." 

We  thought  it  singular  that  a  greaser  should  have  business  of  any  kind, 
except  stealing  cattle,  but  said  nothing,  as  we  did  not  care  to  detain  him, 
being  rather  glad  to  get  rid  of  the  man  for  the  time  being. 

"  By  the  way,"  asked  Lewey,  as  the  fellow  was  about  to  mount  his  horse, 
"  when  did  you  leave  the  bay  of  San  Francisco  ?  " 

"  Three  weeks  since,"  was  the  reply,  as  the  man  swung  his  lithe  form 
into  the  saddle,  and  headed  his  horse  for  the  town. 

"Was  there  much  news  of  importance?"  we  questioned.  Not  that  we 
thought  there  could  be  any  of  moment. 

"  There  are  great  events  happening  up  North,"  was  the  response.  "  An 
American  named  Fremont  is  on  the  Sacramento  River,  with  a  band  of  la- 
drones,  and  General  Castro  has  left  Monterey  to  drive  him  over  the  moun- 
tains to  his  wretched  home,  or  kill  all  who  oppose  him." 

We  laughed  at  the  idea  of  Castro  putting  Fremont  and  his  Rocky- 
iMountain  trappers  to  flight,  and  the  Mexican  seemed  to  resent  it,  for  he  said,— 

"There  is  more  news  of  an  important  nature.  The  United  States  has 
annexed  Texas,  and  war  has  been  declared  between  the  two  countries. 
There  will  be  bloody  battles  and  hot  work  before  long." 

"  And  why  did  you  leave  San  Francisco  if  fighting  was  to  take  place  so 
soon  ?  "  Lewey  asked,  in  a  sneering  tone. 

"  I  am  the  bearer  of  despatches,  and  the  courier  and  agent  of  General 
Castro,"  was  the  prompt  answer.  "  I  have  left  orders  at  every  town  on  the 
coast,  and  am  now  on  my  way  to  San  Diego." 

"It  is  lucky  we  have  you  as  a  friend,"  I  said.  "  Without  some  one  to 
speak  for  us,  and  protect  us,  we  fear  that  we  should  never  be  able  to  estab- 
lish a  ranche,  and  marry  the  girls  we  love." 

"Yes,"  grinned  the  greaser,  as  he  gathered  up  his  reins,  "  it  is  very  lucky 
that  we  met  at  the  bay  some  months  ago,  so  that  I  can  vouch  for  you  as 
two  bueno  machachos,  who  would  harm  no  one.  Oh,  yes,  you  are  all  right. 
Adios,  senors,"  and,  striking  the  horse  with  his  long,  heavy  spurs,  he 
dashed  over  the  road  that  led  along  the  bay  toward  San  Diego. 

Lewey  and  I  looked  at  each  other's  faces  when  the  greaser  had  disap- 
peared from  sight.  We  did  not  see  much  to  encourage  either  of  us  in  our 
respective  countenances. 

"  Well,"  I  said  at  length,  "  I  wish  that  I  was  on  board  of  the  old  Admit- 
tance once  more.  We  are  in  a  confounded  mess,  and  no  mistake." 

"So  do  I,"  responded  Lewey,  "but  ve  is  here  on  de  beach,   and    no 


Lewey  and  I. 


amount  of  vishin'  can  put  us  on  de  ship.  Ve  must  make  de  best  of  it.  Ve 
vill  be  vhat  you  call  neutral,  and  let  de  udders  do  de  fightin'.  Dat  vill  suit 
us  better  den  hard  knocks." 

"But  what  do  you  think  of  the  greaser,  Sanchos?"  I  asked.  "Is  he 
honest  ?  Does  he  mean  what  he  says  ?  Will  he  be  a  friend  or  enemy  ?  " 

"  Did  you  ebber  know  a  half-caste  Mexican  to  forget  one  injury  ?  "  de- 
manded the  French  lad,  with  a  touch  of  scorn,  which  he  made  no  effort  to 
conceal.  "  He  rubs  'um  hand  to  keep  alive  de  thought  of  de  punch  you  gib 
him  vid  de  boat-hook.  I  no  trust  a  greaser  fudder  den  I  can  throw  a  tail  by 
de  bull." 

Lewey  had  rather  mixed  the  familiar  quotation,  but  I  was  too  troubled  in 
mind  to  set  him  right.  War  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico  might 
be  a  serious  business  for  us,  and  unsettle  all  of  our  plans.  To  be  sure,  we 
could  ship  on  board  some  vessel,  and  thus  escape  all  serious  trouble,  but  we 
did  not  want  any  more  surf  experiences,  or  to  pull  and  haul  ropes,  furl  sails, 
and  brace  yards.  We  had  anticipated  a  more  pleasant  life,  and  could  not 
imagine  one  that  suited  our  ideas  better  than  living  with  the  girls  we  loved. 
There  was  no  use  to  borrow  trouble  just  at  present,  we  thought,  but  re- 
solved to  see  Captain  Fitch,  our  treasurer  and  guardian,  and  consult  him  at 
the  first  convenient  opportunity,  and  abide  by  his  advice.  He  was  a  man 
of  influence  in  the  country,  and  the  Mexicans  had  great  confidence  in  his 
judgment.  Besides,  they  always  borrowed  his  money  when  they  were  haid 
up,  and  paid  him  good  interest  for  the  same,  and  the  principal  when  God 
was  willing,  and  not  before. 

"  Jack,"  we  said,  as  we  wandered  down  to  t!<e  vats  where  the  Scotchman 
and  the  kanaka  were  stirring  up  some  hides,  "  that  greaser  says  the  United 
States  and  Mexico  have  gone  to  war." 

"  What  bloody  fools,"  was  the  response  of  the  old  sailor,  as  he  stopped 
work  to  light  his  pipe,  and  listen  to  our  communication.  "  Well,"  he  con- 
tinued, after  a  moment's  pause,  "  may  the  best  man  win,"  having  an  idea 
that  it  was  something  after  the  fashion  of  a  prize-fight,  involving  bottle- 
holders  and  a  ring. 

"  But  we  fear  the  trouble  will  injure  our  prospects,"  I  suggested. 

"  No  one  is  goin'  to  injure  you  two  chicks  while  you  is  on  the  beach,  and 
under  my  protection,"  responded  the  sturdy  old  Scotchman.  "  If  the 
bloody  greasers  come  foolin'  around  here  I  '11  blow  'em  out  of  the  water, 
now  you  jist  believe  me." 

"  But  dey  von't  come  by  de  vater,"  remarked  Lewey,  who  could  not  re- 
main serious  for  any  length  of  time. 


1 8  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Never  you  mind  where  they  comes  from,  they  '11  get  their  heads  broke 
jist  the  same  if  they  puts  a  hand  on  any  old  shipmate  of  mine,  now  I  tells 
you." 

"  How  could  you  defend  us  and  the    hide-house  at  the  same  time  ? "  I 

asked. 

"With  the  two  old  ship-muskets  the  skipper  left  me  when  he  sailed. 
They  is  over  my  bunk,  and  lots  of  powder  and  shot  stowed  away  in  my 
chest.  I  could  hold  out  agin  a  hundred  greasers  for  a  week,"  and  Jack 
sucked  away  at  his  pipe  in  perfect  contentment,  and  I  have  no  doubt  really 
believed  wha'.  he  uttered. 

He  was  about  to  renew  his  work  when  the  current  of  his  thoughts  was 
changed  by  an  enormous  flock  of  wild  geese  that  flew  along  the  shore,  and 
honked  to  each  other,  as  they  looked  out  for  a  place  to  alight  and  feed,  on 
the  shoals  and  muddy  banks  of  the  bay,  and  all  along  Spanish  Bight.  The 
tide  was  half  ebb,  and  the  ducks  and  other  fowl  were  coming  in  from  all  di- 
rections to  feast  on  the  insects  and  fiddler-crabs  that  had  been  left  by  the 
receding  waters. 

"  Tell  you  what  it  is,  shipmates,"  Jack  said,  "  I  have  n't  had  a  goose  or 
duck  this  season.  I  feel  a  longing  for  something  different  from  fresh  meat. 
Come,  you  boys  has  nothin'  to  do.  Take  the  two  old  guns,  and  the  skiff, 
and  see  if  you  can't  shoot  a  little  game.  The  trip  will  do  you  good,  and 
occupy  your  time.  I  don't  like  to  have  boys  mope.  'T  a'n't  a  good  sign. 
Now  if  you  drank  aguardiente  we  could  go  to  town  and  have  a  mighty 
good  spree,  but  there  a'n't  no  sense  getting  drunk  all  alone.  Besides,  the 
old  man  told  me  to  set  you  a  good  example,  and  I  s'pose  I  must." 

"  Do  you  think  there  is  any  danger  of  the  guns  bursting  ?  "  I  asked,  for 
I  had  had  some  experience  with  the  weapons  up  North. 

"  Not  if  you  is  careful,  and  don't  put  in  too  much  of  a  load.  Good  Lord, 
any  one  can  kill  geese  and  ducks  here  in  the  bay.  They  is  never  hunted, 
and  you  can  get  close  on  'em.  Come,  go  along  with  you,  and  be  back  by 
supper-time.  I  've  got  my  work  to  do,  and  don't  want  to  stand  here  spin- 
nin'  yarns  all  day,  and  that  kanaka  settin'  on  the  sand,  and  never  carin'  if  1 
don't  turn  him  too.  Bee.  :ful,  and  not  shoot  each  other,  and  bring  back 
some  geese  and  ducks/' 

As  we  needed  a  little  recreation,  to  keep  our  thoughts  from  dwelling  on 
the  possibilities  of  the  future,  we  jumped  at  the  proposal  to  go  after  ducks 
and  geese.  We  hunted  up  the  old  muskets,  —  flint-locks  and  enormous 
bores,  heavy  and  clumsy,  —  cleaned  them  from  rust  and  dirt,  took  enough 
powder  and  shot  for  a  dozen  or  twenty  discharges,  whistled  for  Jack,  the 


Lewey  and  I. 


dog,  entered  the  small  skiff  that  belonged  to  our  hide-house,  pushed  off, 
and  drifted  over  to  Spanish  Bight,  where  the  shore  was  alive  with  fowl. 

There  was  no  need  of  approaching  them  with  caution,  for  they  merely 
looked  up  from  feeding,  honked  a  few  times,  and  then  paid  us  no  further 
attention. 

Lewey,  who  was  inclined  to  be  a  little  selfish  when  sport  was  on  the  tapis, 
thought  that  I  had  better  scull  the  boat  toward  the  geese  and  ducks,  and 
let  him  do  the  shooting,  as  he  claimed  that  he  was  the  better  marksman.  I 
had  no  particular  objection,  although  I  cautioned  the  French  lad  against 
loading  the  gun  with  too  heavy  a  charge,  but  he  sniffed  at  me  for  the  ad- 
vice, and  intimated  that  he  had  handled  fire-arms  before  I  was  born,  which 
was  not  true,  and  he  knew  it,  as  he  was  only  eighteen  months  older  than 
myself,  but  much  more  experienced  in  the  affairs  of  the  world. 

"  You  vill  seed  me  knock  'em  ober,"  Lewey  remarked,  as  he  loaded  up, 
and  was  not  over-particular  how  much  powder  and  shot  he  put  in.  "  I  vas 
alvays  a  great  gunner  in  mine  own  country.  Ah,  many  is  de  sparrow  vot  I 
has  killed,  and  made  in  de  nice  pie." 

Right  before  us  was  a  mob  of  black  brant,  a  bird  that  must  be  rather 
scarce  at  this  time  on  the  shores  of  San  Diego  bay,  as  the  flesh  is  so  good 
that  the  hunters  of  modern  days  would  not  give  it  much  rest,  but  in  1846 
there  were  thousands  to  be  seen  at  every  low  tide,  unsuspicious  of  guns  and 
death-traps,  killed  only  by  the  Indians  when  they  were  hungry,  and  could 
get  nothing  better  to  eat  than  game.  Beside  the  brant  there  were  white 
geese,  curlews,  waders,  willets,  dowitchers,  and  snipe,  a  variety  that  would, 
at  the  present  time,  make  an  Eastern  sportsman  crazy  with  delight  at  the 
prospect  before  him. 

We  were  within  ten  fathoms  of  the  fowl  when  the  brant  and  geese  looked 
up,  suspending  their  feeding  operations  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  us, 
and  seeing  what  we  were  like,  and  desired. 

"Now,  Lewey,"  I  whispered,  "give  it  to  them.  There  is  a  good 
chance." 

The  lad  steadied  his  elbow  on  one  of  the  thwarts,  knelt  down  on  his  right 
knee,  turned  a  little  pale,  and  uttered  a  short  prayer  to  his  patron  saint,  as 
he  thought  of  the  danger  he  was  wilfully  incurring.  I  never  knew  the 
name  of  his  patron  saint,  and  should  not  have  supposed  that  he  had  one,  if 
he  had  n't  stated  that  such  was  the  fact  more  than  a  dozen  times  during 
his  adventures  in  company  with  myself.  Of  course  I  had  to  believe  him, 
as  he  appeared  to  be  sincere  in  his  assertion  that  he  was  religious. 

"  Why  don't  you  fire  ? "  1   asked,  holding  the   boat  in  place  with  one 


2O  Lewey  and  I. 


hand,  and  the  lively  little  Jack  with  the  other,  for  the  dog  seemed  possessed 
with  the  idea  that  the  expedition  was  gotten  up  on  his  own  account,  and 
that  he  was  privileged  to  make  as  much  noise  as  he  pleased,  jump  over- 
board, swim  to  the  game,  and  attack  it  single-handed. 

"  My  dear  ami,"  said  the  French  lad,  removing  the  gun  from  his  shoul- 
der, and  looking  at  me,  as  though  doubtful  how  the  confession  would  be  re- 
ceived, "  I  is  afraid  of  dis  old  musket.  You  fires  him  if  you  vill.  I  is  just 
and  ginerous." 

"  Give  me  the  gun,"  I  cried,  in  a  firm  tone.  "  I  will  show  you  how  to  kill 
game." 

This  boasting  irritated  my  friend,  for  he  said,  — 

"  Niver.  I  takes  de  risk  all  on  mineself.  I  can  shoot 'em  as  well  as  you. 
Now  seed  me." 

Once  again  he  raised  the  musket,  took  a  good  aim  at  the  unsuspecting 
game,  shut  both  eyes,  and  then  there  was  a  roar,  a  flash,  and  a  sheet  of 
flame  issued  from  the  old  musket,  and  the  next  moment  Lewey  was  lying 
under  one  of  the  thwarts,  and  the  gun  went  overboard,  in  two  feet  of  water. 
There  was  a  flutter  among  the  geese  and  fowl,  feathers  flew  in  all  di- 
rections, and  a  dozen  dead  and  wounded  brant  and  ducks  were  lying  on  the 
sand  and  mud,  while  the  uninjured,  with  cackles  and  honks  of  astonishment, 
flew  to  other  feeding  grounds,  where  they  could  fill  up  undisturbed. 

Jack,  with  loud  barks  of  astonishment  and  delight,  bounded  out  of  the 
boat  into  the  water,  and  made  for  the  shore,  to  finish  the  work  of  destruction, 
biting  the  fluttering  ducks,  and  fighting  the  hissing  geese  as  if  fearful  that, 
he  would  not  do  his  share  unless  an  immense  amount  of  activity  was  dis 
played  on  his  part. 

I  dropped  the  oar,  by  which  I  was  sculling  the  skiff,  and  went  to  the  aid 
of  my  friend. 

"Lewey,"  I  said,  as  I  pulled  him  out  from  under  the  thwart,  "are  you 
dead,  or  only  injured  ?  " 

"  I  is  not  dead,"  was  the  answer,  "but  I  is  most  killed  vid  my  shoulder. 
Did  you  seed  how  I  hits  'em  ?  Ah,  vot  one  could  beat  dat  shot  ?  I  slays 
dousands  of  "em." 

He  sat  up,  rubbed  his  head,  and  looked  around  in  a  dazed  sort  of  way,  as 
if  not  realizing  where  he  was,  or  what  had  knocked  him  over. 

I  feared  that  he  had  dislocated  his  shoulder-blade,  but,  as  he  could  move 
his  aim  quite  freely,  knew  that  he  would  soon  be  all  right,  although  he 
might  suffer  from  a  bad  bruise  for  a  day  or  two. 

"  De  next  time  you  fires  him  yournself,"  the  French  boy  said.     "  I  has 


Lewey  and  /.  21 


killed  mine  share  for  one  day.  Ah,  vot  a  shot  vos  dat,  and  how  much  it  re- 
minds me  of  dear  old  France." 

«'  Do  all  the  guns  in  France  kick  like  this  ?  "  I  asked. 

<;  Ah,  by  gar,  much  vusser  !  Dese  guns  is  nothin'  like  mine  country's," 
and,  if  such  was  the  case,  I  mentally  pitied  the  hunters  and  sportsmen  of 
la  belle  nation.  But  I  think  he  was  boasting,  01  lying. 

Finding  that  the  boy's  injuries  were  not  so  serious  as  I  supposed,  we 
paddled  the  skiff  back  to  the  place  where  the  old  musket  was  quietly  repos- 
ing on  the  bottom  of  the  bay,  managed  to  secure  it,  and  then  landed  on  the 
beach,  where  Jack  was  impatiently  awaiting  us,  all  the  wounded  ducks  and 
brant  killed,  and  piled  up  in  a  heap,  awaiting  inspection  and  approval. 

There  were  seven  brant,  two  gray  geese,  six  ducks,  and  three  snipe.  Not 
a  bad  shot,  but  then  the  old  musket  was  overcharged,  and  scattered  fearful- 
ly at  long  range. 

Lewey  was  delighted  at  his  success,  and  declared  that  no  one  could  excel 
him  as  a  marksman,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  his  gunning  experience 
still  furnishes  him  a  fruitful  theme  for  conversation  when  he  has  company 
at  his  dinners  on  shore  and  sea.  How  his  listeners  must  quietly  wink  at 
each  other,  as  he  talks,  and  wonder  that  a  man  should  always  manage  to 
lie  when  talking  about  hunting  and  fishing.  The  last  time  I  saw  my  friend 
he  appealed  to  me  to  corroberate  his  statement,  and,  when  I  did  so,  noted 
certain  expressions  on  the  faces  of  those  present  that  showed  how  polite 
the  gentlemen  were,  for,  although  they  did  not  doubt  our  words,  it  was  evi- 
dent they  had  never  seen  wild  fowl  as  plentiful  as  we  had  on  the  shores  of 
San  Diego  bay,  near  Ballast  Point,  Point  Loma,  and  Spanish  Bight. 

We  gathered  up  the  spoil,  and  once  more  paddled  around  the  bay,  in 
search  of  game.  We  saw  large  numbers  of  geese  and  ducks  near  Ballast 
Point,  and  headed  for  them,  the  boat  moving  along  quietly  so  as  not  to  dis- 
turb the  fowl.  This  time  Lewey  thought  that  I  should  have  a  shot,  and,  al- 
though I  was  not  enthusiastic,  after  his  experience,  I  did  not  show  the 
white  feather,  for  fear  of  exciting  his  ridicule.  But  I  loaded  the  gun  with  a 
small  quantity  of  powder  and  shot,  and  hoped  for  the  best. 

When  we  were  in  shoal  water,  and  within  ten  fathoms  of  the  game,  the 
ducks  and  geese  raised  their  heads  and  looked  at  us,  but  did  not  offer  to 
move  from  their  feeding  igrounds. 

"  Now  you  gib  dem  fits,"  whispered  Lewey,  and  just  then  Jack,  who 
thought  that  it  was  a  command  for  him  to  show  his  usefulness,  jumped  out 
of  the  boat,  and  made  for  the  shore. 

The  ducks  and  geese  were  alarmed  at  the  plunge,  took  to  their  wings 


22  Lewey  and  /. 


with  noisy  honks  and  quackings,  and,  just  as  they  arose,  I  aimed  at  the 
thickest  flock,  my  gun  went  off,  and  down  tumbled  a  dozen  geese,  brant, 
and  ducks,  some  killed  outright,  and  others  with  broken  wings  and  legs. 

"  Veil  done  !  I  could  n't  mineself  have  improved  on  dat !  I  vould  n't  hab 
believed  dat  you  could  do  so  veil !  "  shouted  Lewey,  who  wanted  to  give  me 
as  much  praise  as  he  could,  consistent  with  his  own  ideas  of  what  was  just 
and  proper,  and  not  detract  from  his  accidental  yet  lucky  shot,  of  which  he 
was  so  proud. 

I  did  feel  a  little  elated,  and  appreciated  my  friend's  praise,  and,  when  we 
landed,  and  gathered  up  the  spoils,  by  the  exertions  of  Jack,  who  did  not 
allow  a  single  -bird  to  escape,  we  found  that  we  had  enough  game  for  one 
day,  and  it  seemed  wicked  to  slaughter  wild  fowl  unless  we  could  make  use 
of  them.  We  began  to  like  the  sport,  and  agreed  to  do  a  little  gunning 
every  week. 

We  now  turned  our  attention  to  crawfish,  secured  a  dozen  or  more,  and, 
while  we  were  searching  for  them  among  the  rocks,  Lewey  gave  a  yell,  and 
shouted,  — 

"  Oh,  by  gar !  do  come  here,  and  see  de  valkin'  snuffbox  !  Ah,  now  ve 
shall  hab  de  fun  !  " 

I  ran  to  where  he  was,  on  a  piece  pf  sandy  beach,  and  found  the  boy 
jumping  up  and  down,  dancing  around  a  hundred-pound  turtle,  and  scream- 
ing in  French  and  broken  English  as  though  he  had  found  a  prize  of  a  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  did  not  know  how  he  should  spend  it. 

"  See  de  old  valkin'  snuffbox  !  I  finds  him  all  by  mineself  !  Oh,  de  nice 
soup  he  vill  make  !  Ah,  vould  you  ?  "  as  the  turtle  showed  a  disposition  to 
seek  the  water,  and  then  Lewey  showered  down  stones  on  the  animal's 
protruding  head. 

"  We  must  turn  it  over  on  its  back,"  I  said,  and  the  impulsive  Lewey 
rushed  forward  to  accomplish  the  job,  but,  as  he  approached,  the  turtle 
commenced  using  its  flippers,  and  threw  clouds  of  sand  and  gravel  in  the 
air,  striking  the  face  of  the  boy,  and  for  a  moment  blinding  him,  so  that  he 
had  to  cover  his  eyes  to  save  them  from  the  fury  of  the  storm. 

I  ran  ahead  of  the  turtle,  and,  when  the  sand  cloud  was  less  dense,  turned 
the  prize  on  its  back,  and  thus  had  it  secure,  and  at  our  mercy. 

"  Nebber  seed  anyding  like  dat  afore,"  Lewey  remarked,  as  he  brushed 
the  gravel-stones  from  his  eyes  and  hair.  "  He  fight  all  behind  like  de 
sting-ray.  But  now  ve  has  him,  and  de  good  soup  at  de  same  time.  Ah, 
vot  fortunate  boys  ve  is.  Ve  alvays  comes  on  our  feet  ven  dere  is  much 
danger." 


Lewey  and  I.  25 


That  was  all  true,  but  how  were  we  to  get  the  turtle  in  the  boat,  and  es- 
cape some  serious  bites  from  the  ponderous  jaws,  that  seemed  powerful 
enough  to  crush  a  piece  of  iron  ?  We  could  not  cut  off  its  head,  for,  when- 
ever we  made  the  attempt,  it  would  draw  it  in  beneath  the  shell.  After  all 
other  expedients  had  failed  we  obtained  some  spun-yarn  from  the  boat,  made 
a  slip-noose,  dropped  it  over  the  turtle's  neck,  and,  with  the  aid  of  an  oar, 
prepared  to  carry  the  prize  to  the  skiff.  It  was  n't  pleasant  for  the  turtle, 
and  neither  would  it  have  been  agreeable  to  us  had  the  powerful  jaws 
closed  on  one  of  our  limbs. 

Jack  wan*  td  to  take  a  hand  in  the  entertainment,  and  once  or  twice 
sniffed  around  the  turtle  as  though  wondering  if  there  was  any  fight  in  it, 
for  he  had  never  seen  such  an  animal  before,  and  seemed  inclined  to  the 
opinion  that  he  could  lick  it  in  a  fair  combat,  and,  when  he  turned  to  ask 
our  advice  on  the  matter,  allowed  his  tail  to  get  within  biting  distance  of 
the  prize.  There  was  a  snap,  a  yell,  and  the  most  surprised  dog  in  the  bay 
of  San  Die^o.  With  a  shrill  "  Ki-yi !  "  Jack  turned  to  run,  but  he  could  not 
draw  a  load  of  a  hundred  pounds,  so  pawed  sand  and  gravel  until  the  air 
was  full  of  small  particles  of  dirt,  resembling  the  shower  which  the  turtle 
had  thrown  at  Lewey. 

"  Did  you  ebber  seed  sich  a  fool  in  all  your  born  days  ? "  asked  the 
French  lad.  "  Vot  de  debil  vill  ve  do  now  ?  Cut  de  dog's  tail  off,  or  de 
head  of  de  turtle  ?  By  gar!  dis  beats  eberyding  dat  I  has  seen  in  my  long 
and  eventful  life." 

But,  while  Lewey  was  talking,  the  dog  was  suffering,  and  yelping  like  a 
wild  Indian  making  an  attack  on  a  defenceless  party  of  emigrants.  We  out 
with  our  claspknives,  and  hacked  away  at  the  turtle's  neck,  but  for  a  long 
while  did  not  seem  to  make  any  impression,  or  cause  the  jaws  to  let  go 
their  terrible  grip.  But  blood  commenced  to  flow,  and  our  stabs  grew 
fiercer  as  we  thought  of  Jack's  sufferings.  At  last  the  jaws  were  relaxed, 
the  tail  was  free,  and  then  if  that  plucky  little  bulldog  did  n't  turn  around, 
and  make  a  grab  at  one  of  his  enemy's  flippers,  and  bite  as  though  to  be 
avenged  for  what  he  had  suffered.  It  was  a  long  time  before  we  could  get 
the  brute  to  relax  his  hold,  for  he  was  as  tenacious  as  his  antagonist  when 
he  fastened  his  grip  0.1  an  opponent. 

Jack's  tail  was  lacerated  a  little,  but  it  soon  got  well,  as  we  put  some 
warm  tar  on  it,  thus  protecting  the  wound  from  the  flies  and  fleas  which 
were  very  abundant  on  the  beach,  and  at  the  hide-house. 

We  rowed  back  to  our  quarters,  or,  rather,  drifted,  for  the  tide  was  flood, 
and,  when  we  struck  the  beach,  Scotch  Jack  and  the  kanaka  came  down  to 


26  Lewey  and  I. 


meet  us,  and  see  what  luck  we  had  had.  Their  amazement  and  commenda- 
tions were  great  when  they  saw  the  result  of  our  forenoon's  work.  The  tur- 
tle they  were  a  little  suspicious  of,  and  Jack  said  that  it  was  no  good  for  hu- 
mans to  eat,  but,  after  Lewey  had  eulogized  the  beautiful  soup  that  it  would 
produce,  although  he  frankly  acknowledged  that  he  did  not  know  how  to 
make  it,  the  old  sailor  said  that  we  had  better  land  the  turtle,  and  stow  it 
away  in  the  hide-house  until  such  time  as  he  could  study  up  on  the  subject, 
and  see  how  it  would  be  proper  to  prepare  the  soup. 

The  game  found  welcome  customers  among  the  people  on  the  beach,  but 
after  we  had  supplied  all  who  wanted  a  goose  or  duck,  found  that  we  had 
half  a  dozen  brant  and  geese  left  for  our  own  consumption. 

But  the  Scotchman  mourned  for  the  wet,  rusty  musket,  and  refused  to  be 
comforted  until  we  had  taken  the  gun  all  to  pieces,  and  oiled  it  in  a 
thorough  manner.  Then  he  was  satisfied,  and  said  that  we  could  go  gun- 
ning again  the  next  morning,  or  as  often  as  we  wished,  but  we  never  had 
another  day's  sport  on  the  shores  of  the  bay  of  San  Diego,  having 
other  and  more  important  business  to  attend  to.  We  often  thought  of 
Jack,  the  hide-house,  and  the  ducks  and  geese  of  Spanish  Bight,  and  I 
sometimes  wonder,  o.  late  years,  if  sportsmen  of  Southern  California  take 
the  trouble  to  indulge  in  hunting,  and  for  a  time  forget  the  cares  of  busi- 
ness life.  For  those  fond  of  the  gun  and  rod  there  never  was  a  place  like 
San  Diego,  and  its  vicinity,  many  years  ago.  Then  no  skill  or  tact  was  re- 
quired to  fill  a  boat  with  fish  or  fowl  in  a  short  time. 

We  took  a  swim,  dined,  had  the  usual  afternoon's  siesta,  and  roused  up, 
lighted  our  pipes,  and  wondered  what  we  should  do  for  an  evening's  enter- 
tainment, as  new  books  were  very  scarce,  when  who  should  enter  the  hide- 
house  but  our  friend  and  guardian,  Captain  Fitch,  of  San  Diego. 

"  Well,  lads,"  he  asked,  "  are  you  all  right?  No  more  smallpox,  hey  ? 
Symptoms  all  gone  ?  Did  you  play  a  prank  on  Peterson,  or,  honest  and 
true,  were  you  ill  ?' 

"  We  were  very  sick,"  stammered  I,  and  Lewey  re-echoed  my  words  with 
a  deep  sigh,  as  though  he  1'elt  that  he  had  met  with  a  hard  line  of  luck  in 
being  left  on  shore. 

"  All  right  then.  I  '11  allow  you  were  sick.  Now,  what  do  you  mean  to 
do  with  yourselves  ?  You  don't  intend  to  stay  here,  do  you  ?  " 

"  No,  sir.  We  think  of  buying  a  ranche,  and  getting  married,"  I  made 
bold  to  answer,  knowing  that  the  ice  had  got  to  be  broken  at  some  time, 
and  the  quicker  the  better. 

"What?"  howled  the  old  gentleman,  in  a  regular  quarter-deck  tone  of 


Lewev  and  I.  27 


voice,  and  he  jumped  from  his  chair,  and  came  toward  us,  as  though  about 
to  lay  hands  on  our  sacred  persons. 

"  Ve  is  in  love  vid  two  booful  young  ladies,"  Lewey  said,  thinking  to 
smooth  the  matter  over  in  a  speedy  manner. 

"  In  fiddlestick  !"  the  captain  cried.  "  Look  ahere,  if  you  go  to  make 
fools  of  yourselves,  by  the  Lord  Harry  I  '11  spank  both  of  you  until  your 
noses  bleed.  I  never  heard  of  such  ridiculous  foolishness  in  all  my  life. 
Good  Lord,  how  I  wish  that  I  could  get  word  to  Peterson.  Would  n't  he 
take  the  nonsense  out  of  you  with  a  rope's-end." 

"  Can't  a  man  get  married  in  this  country  if  he  is  in  love  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  A  man,  yes.  A  boy,  no.  Don't  talk  to  me.  I  '11  clap  you  both  in  irons 
if  you  say  another  word,"  and  then,  as  he  paced  the  room  in  which  the  con- 
versation was  held,  suddenly  stopped,  and  asked,  "  Who  are  the  females  ? 
Black  or  white  ?  Where  do  they  live  ?  Lord !  don't  I  wish  Peterson  was 
here.  How  he  would  pound  you  if  such  a  proposition  was  broached  to  him. 
I  'm  too  easy,  too  good-natured  with  boys.  Why  the  devil  don't  you  tell 
me  what  the  girls  are  like  ?  " 

"  Dey  is  booful,"  said  Lewey,  with  a  smack  of  his  lips. 

"  Bah  !  I  never  heard  of  such  nonsense,"  was  the  fierce  rejoinder. 
"  White  or  black  ? " 

"  A  little  dark,  —  off-colored,"  I  ventured  to  remark. 

"  Greasers !  by  the  Lord  Harry,"  was  the  contemptuous  exclamation. 
"  To  think  that  boys  who  have  been  well  brought  up,  and  have  a  little  edu- 
cation, should  lower  their  record  by  taking  half-caste  girls  for  wives.  I 
never  heard  of  such  greenness." 

"  A  voman  is  a  voman,  no  matter  vot  is  de  color  ob  de  face,"  remarked 
Lewey. 

"  I  know  better,"  cried  the  frank  Captain.  "  A  greaser  woman  is  no  mate 
for  a  nice  white  man.  Do  you  stop  to  think  what  you  are  doing  ?  Do  you 
consider  for  a  moment  what  a  dark-colored  Mexican  mother-in-law 
is  like?" 

"  She  vould  help  keep  de  house  in  order,  and  vip  all  de  shildrens," 
the  frank-spoken  Lewey  said,  with  a  far-away  look  in  his  eyes,  as  though 
his  thoughts  were  of  the  future,  and  he  could  picture  an  elderly  lady  boss- 
ing the  infants,  and  making  life  pleasant  for  the  husband. 

"  You  don't  know  what  you  are  talking  about,"  snarled  Captain  Fitch. 
"  She  would  scold  your  heads  off,  she  would  yarn  you  blind  in  less  than  a 
month,  and  give  all  no  peace  unless  you  went  to  confession  once  a  week." 

"  You  seem  to  know  something  of  California  married  life,"  I  suggested, 


28  Lewey  and  /. 


and,  at  the  words,  the  captain  turned  on  me  to  see  if  there  was  any  hidden 
meaning  in  my  words,  but,  seeing  that  I  was  not  inclined  to  be  sarcastic, 
for  his  matrimonial  existence  was  said  to  be  a  very  happy  one,  he  only  an- 
swered, — 

"  I  know  what  I  know,  and  you  don't.  But  let  us  drop  the  subject,  for  I 
have  more  important  duties  to  attend  to.  There  is  a  rumor  in  town  that 
war  has  been  declared  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States.  At  any 
rate  the  latter  country  has  annexed  Texas,  and,  if  there  is  no  war  now, 
there  soon  will  be.  This  will  make  the  positions  of  unnaturalized  citizens 
in  California  a  little  precarious,  for  the  greasers  may  be  terribly  excited 
against  the  gringos,  and  perhaps  resort  to  acts  of  violence  which  we  can- 
not prevent,  do  the  best  we  can  to  shield  our  countrymen,  I  have  some 
power  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  will  do  what  I  can  for  you,  providing 
you  give  up  this  idea  of  marrying,  settle  on  a  ranche,  and  raise  cattle,  in- 
stead of  children.  But,  to  do  all  this  you  must  take  out  a  matriculador,  and 
then  declare  your  intention  of  becoming  a  naturalized  citizen.  I  hold  four 
hundred  dollars  of  your  money,  left  in  trust  by  Captain  Peterson,  and  with 
that  you  can  do  much  in  the  way  of  a  start.  Will  you  think  of  what  I  have 
said,  and  let  me  know  your  decision  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  but  our  minds  are  all  made  up  on  the  subject  of  getting  mar- 
ried. We  have  pledged  our  words,  and  they  should  be  sacred,"  I  said,  and 
Lewey  nodded  an  acquiescence  of  my  sentiments. 

"  My  boys,"  the  captain  remarked,  in  a  low  tone,  "  there  is  nothing  sacred 
here  in  California,  when  one's  interest  runs  counter  to  his  anticipations. 
You  be  guided  by  me,  and  all  will  come  out  right,  and  I  may  see  you  rich 
and  prosperous  rancheros  before  many  years.  But  keep  away  from  the 
girls,  and  by  and  by,  when  the  proper  time  comes  along,  I  '11  see  if  I  can't 
find  you  two  decent  young  women  as  companions  for  life.  Leave  all  to 
me,  and  don't  be  blanked  fools." 

We  did  not  desire  to  argue  the  point  any  more,  and  so  held  our  tongues, 
hut  perhaps  it  would  have  been  as  well  if  we  had  taken  his  advice,  for  he 
meant  well  by  us,  and  really  desired  to  better  our  fortunes,  and  the 'course 
he  pointed  out  was  the  proper  one  to  take.  But  we  were  infatuated,  and, 
when  such  is  the  case,  reason  and  prudence  are  thrown  aside  by  beardless 
boys. 

We  told  the  captain  of  our  gunning  expedition,  the  capture  of  the  turtle, 
and  killing  of  the  geese  and  ducks,  and  the  old  gentleman  rubbed  his  hands, 
as  he  said,  — 

"  I  'm  going  to  have  some  swell  Mexicans  at  my  house  tomorrow  even- 


Leivey  and  I.  29 


ing,  and  I  will  give  them  a  bit  of  supper,  and  a  little  entertainment.  I  '11 
buy  the  turtle  and  some  of  the  game.  They  are  just  what  I  want.  How 
much  shall  I  pay  you  for  all?  Say  two  geese,  a  pair  of  bi ant,  and  the 
turtle." 

We  assured  the  captain  that  he  was  welcome  to  all  he  wanted,  and  that 
we  could  not  think  of  taking  a  medio  from  him. 

"  Nonsense  !  I  don't  want  your  property  without  paying  for  it.  Here  's 
five  dollars.  Is  that  enough  ?  "  and  the  captain  threw  on  the  table  live 
Mexican  dollars,  and  refused  to  return  them  to  his  pocket,  even  after  we 
had  disclaimed  all  intention  of  selling  the  products  of  our  excursion  on  the 
shores  of  the  bay. 

"  It  is  all  right,  boys,"  the  captain  said,  in  a  cheery  tone.  "  I  '11  send  a 
peon  and  cart  down  tonight,  after  I  return  home,  for  the  turtle  and  geese, 
and  tomorrow  night  they  shall  grace  my  table."  Then  he  hesitated  a  mo- 
ment, as  though  there  was  something  on  his  mind,  and  finally  said,  "  By  the 
way,  Peterson  told  me  that  you  two  lads  once  gave  an  entertainment  before 
some  of  the  best  people  of  Monterey,  and  that  there  were  lots  of  fun  con- 
nected with  it.  I  have  forgotten  now  just  what  it  was,  but  would  you  like 
to  oblige  me  by  repeating  it  at  my  house  tomorrow  evening  ?  Of  course  I 
can't  ask  you  to  sit  down  with  my  guests,  for  they  are  as  proud  as  Lucifer, 
and  might  not  like  it,  but  I  will  give  you  a  good  supper,  a  fair  bed,  a  bottle 
of  wine,  and  a  dollar  each  for  your  trouble." 

"  If  you  will  withdraw  the  offer  of  money,  and  let  us  volunteer  our  ser- 
vices, we  should  be  pleased  to  oblige  you,"  and  Lewey  nodded  an  acquies- 
cence, and  smiled,  as  he  thought  of  the  exhibition  at  Monterey,  the  firey 
serpent,  the  yells  of  the  old  women,  squeals  of  the  young  girls,  and  the 
hoarse  blanks  of  the  aged  caballeros. 

"  Well,  just  as  you  please.  I  won't  offer  you  money,  but  you  shan't  lose 
by  it  if  you  will  come,  and  amuse  my  guests.  They  never  saw  any  sleight- 
of-hand,  and  it  will  surprise  them.  I  '11  send  some  horses  down  to  the 
hide-house  at  dark,  and  you  can  ride  up  to  town,  and  remain  all  night." 

"  Yes,  but  what  's  to  become  of  me  ?  "  Scotch  Jack  asked,  having  en- 
tered the  room,  and  heard  the  last  part  of  the  conversation.  "  It  's  blanked 
lonesome  nights  without  the  boys.  I  've  got  used  to  their  company,  and 
don't  want  them  to  bunk  outside  of  the  house.  Can't  I  come  up  and  look 
on,  and  see  the  fun  ? " 

Captain  Fitch  hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  then  said,  — 

"  Where  can  I  stow  you,  Jack  ? " 

"Oh,  just    where   you  pleases,    sir.     I   a'n't  quarter-deck  company,   I 


30  Lewey  and  I. 


know.  Put  me  on  the  forecastle,  and  let  me  tend  the  head  sheets,  and  I  '11 
be  all  right." 

"A  gentleman's  parlor  is  not  like  a  ship's  deck,  Jack,"  the  captain  re- 
marked. 

"  I  know  all  that,  sir,  but  I  'm  one  of  the  kind  what  can  do  duty  any- 
where. I  can  help  the  cook,  pass  the  grub,  or  turn  my  hand  to  anything." 
Jack  said. 

"Even  to  drinking  more  than  your  share  of  aguardiente,  Jack  ?"  the  cap- 
tain hinted,  in  a  bantering  tone. 

"  Well,  sir,  I  never  yet  had  my  full  share,  and  don't  think  that  I  ever 
shall.  But,  all  the  same,  I  ?d  like  to  see  the  lads  give  their  great 
exhibition." 

"  Will  you  promise  to  keep  sober,  Jack?"  demanded  Captain  Fitch,  and 
now  he  was  speaking  seriously,  for  the  Scotchman  was  a  terror  when  he 
got  full  of  native  rum,  and  willing  to  fight  half  a  dozen  greasers  at  the 
same  time,  or  any  one  who  defied  him. 

"  Lord,  sir,  a  judge  could  n't  keep  more  sober  than  me,  when  I  gives  my 
word  for  it.  I  '11  only  drink  when  you  axes  me  to,  and  I  hope  it  will  be  as 
often  as  you  thinks  is  all  right  and  proper.  Say  about  one  tot  to  each  bell 
all  the  evening.  That  won't  be  much,  sir,  for  an  able  seaman,  what  knows 
his  duty,  alow  and  aloft,  on  land  and  water." 

As  Jack  could  be  relied  on,  when  he  pledged  his  word,  the  captain 
smiled,  and  said  that  he  might  come,  but  he  must  keep  in  the  background, 
and  pretend  to  be  one  of  the  mass  of  helpers,  for  the  grandees  who  were  to 
partake  of  his  hospitality  would  not  tolerate  a  sailorman  in  their  company, 
unless  he  was  an  officer,  and  master  of  a  ship,  at  that. 

So  it  was  all  settled  quite  satisfactorily  to  every  one,  and  during  supper, 
in  the  evening,  Jack  was  enthusiastic  over  the  good  time  he  was  to  have, 
and  how  Providence  seemed  to  have  interfered  in  his  behalf,  when  such 
nice  boys  were  left  to  console  him  in  his  solitude,  and  to  share  his 
quarters. 

The  next  day  we  got  out  the  wooden  balls  and  sticks,  and  practiced  for 
two  hours,  or  until  Lewey  could  spin  the  plates  without  letting  them  fall, 
and  all  the  time  we  were  thus  occupied  Jack  and  the  kanaka  watched  our 
movements  with  the  most  absorbing  interest,  praising  and  criticising  very 
freely  when  things  did  not  go  to  suit  us,  or  them.  At  last  the  son  of  the 
Sandwich  Islands  could  no  longer  repress  his  admiration,  and  he  ex- 
claimed, — 

"  Me  like  much.    Me  want  to  go  too,  and  see  de  fun." 


Lewey  and  I.  31 


"  Don't  you  know  it  is  a  place  for  gentlemen  ?  "  demanded  Scotch  Jack, 
in  an  indignant  tone.  "  The  likes  of  you  is  not  admitted  where  we  is  goin'. 
Keep  your  place,  and  not  try  to  force  yourself  into  good  company.  It 's 
white  men  what  mixes  with  white  men,  and  not  with  blacks.  You  can't  go, 
so  there  's  no  more  to  be  said  on  the  subject.  What  would  the  greasers 
think?5' 

The  kanaka  uttered  a  doleful  sigh,  as  he  thought  of  the  great  gulf  that 
separated  him  from  the  sailor,  and  boss,  but  made  no  further  efforts  to 
force  his  presence  upon  us.  He  was  a  meek  little  fellow,  and  looked  up  to 
Jack  as  a  being  who  could  pass  muster  most  anywhere.  First,  as  an  able 
seaman,  and  second,  as  the  master  of  the  hide-house,  a  position  of  great 
responsibility  and  trust,  in  those  days,  when  much  valuable  property  was 
left  on  shore  by  the  ships  belonging  to  our  owners. 

We  had  too  much  to  look  after  for  a  gunning  expedition  that  day,  but 
took  our  usual  afternoon  siesta,  and  then  dressed  in  our  neat  sailor  cos- 
tumes, nice  stockings,  low  shoes,  and  silk  handkerchiefs.  Jack  did  not 
look  so  bad  when  he  had  shaved,  and  changed  his  clothes,  but  persisted  in 
wearing  a  white  duck  jumper  over  his  shirt,  as  he  thought  it  gave  tone  and 
rather  an  aristocratic  appearance  to  his  tout  ensemble,  or  general  make  up. 
This,  in  connection  with  a  tarpaulin  hat,  that  was  so  heavy  and  hard  it 
seemed  capable  of  crushing  the  man's  skull,  caused  the  Scotchman  to  as- 
sume rather  a  jaunty  expression,  and  to  glance  at  his  little  shaving-glass 
several  times  with  peculiar  satisfaction,  as  though  he  had  found  something 
new  to  admire  in  his  weather-beaten  face.  Once  I  asked  him  if  he  expected 
to  make  a  conquest  of  some  woman  in  the  course  of  the  evening.  To  this 
he  answered  that  the  female  did  not  Jive  to  whom  he  would  give  his  hand, 
and  when  I  inquired  what  he  would  say  to  her  if  she  was  backed  with  lots 
of  money  and  cattle,  with  a  distillery  for  making  native  rum,  he  wisely 
shook  his  head,  and  said  he  would  wait  until  such  a  paragon  made  her  ap- 
pearance, and  showed  her  good  sense  by  wanting  him  very  much.  He  was 
in  no  hurry. 

At  six  o'clock  the  horses  were  brought  to  the  door  by  a  peon,  and  then 
we  almost  broke  our  dog's  heart  by  tying  him  up  so  that  he  could  not  fol- 
low us.  He  howled  his  disgust  as  we  mounted,  but  we  had  not  gone  more 
than  a  mile,  at  a  gentle  lope,  when  we  were  overtaken  by  our  pet,  and  he 
capered  around  the  feet  of  our  horses  as  he  barked  his  delight  at  being 
free.  Jack  had  slipped  the  rope  from  around  his  neck,  or  else  the  kanaka 
had  let  him  loose,  and  he  followed  us  as  fast  as  his  active,  muscular  little 
legs  could  carry  him. 


32  Lewey  and  I. 


We  did  not  care  to  send  Jack  back,  so  spoke  a  few  words  of  kindness  to 
him,  and  that  satisfied  the  brute  he  was  all  right,  and  could  go  with  us. 

We  had  to  ride  slowly,  on  account  of  Scotch  Jack,  who  was  not  much  of 
a  cavalier,  but,  just  as  twilight  was  closing  in  around  us,  rendering  objects 
a  little  indistinct,  we  were  surprised  to  hear  the  report  of  a  rifle  in  a  thick 
copse  of  willows,  or  bushes,  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  then  the  old  sailor's 
stiff  tarpaulin  fell  into  the  mud,  and  Jack  was  swearing  with  all  the  energy 
of  his  rugged  nature  at  the  disaster. 

For  a  moment  we  could  not  realize  what  had  happened,  but  the 
Scotchman  dismounted,  saying  as  he  did  so,  — 

"  That  was  a  narrow  squeak,  boys.  An  inch  or  two  nearer,  and  old  Jack 
would  have  been  laid  away  forever." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  us  that  a  ball  struck  your  hat  ? "  Lewey  and  I  de- 
manded, both  speaking  at  once. 

"That's  what  I  intended  to  convey,"  the  sailor  said.  "  See  here,"  and 
he  thrust  one  of  his  fingers  through  a  hole  near  the  rim  of  the  hat. 

"  Go  for  him,  Jack ! "  I  shouted  to  the  dog,  who  was  looking  at  us  in 
wonderment,  and  waiting  for  orders. 

The  animal  gave  an  angry  growl,  and  dashed  toward  the  copse  of  bush- 
es. The  next  instant  Lewey  and  I  were  heading  our  horses  in  the  same 
direction,  heedless  of  the  Scotchman's  cries  to  come  back,  as  it  was  no  use 
to  give  chase,  for  a  stern  one  is  a  long  one,  and  we  did  not  know  the  coun- 
try any  too  well. 

We  plunged  through  the  green  bush,  and  then  heard  the  clatter  of  horse's 
feet  in  the  distance,  and  saw  a  vaquero,  mounted  on  a  powerful  mustang, 
fleeing  toward  the  open  country,  and  turning  in  his  saddle  to  see  if  he  was 
pursued. 

Jack  was  racing  after  the  fellow,  but  we  saw  at  a  glance  that  the  latter 
had  a  long  start,  and  owned  a  faster  horse  than  the  ones  we  were 
riding. 

"  It  vas  no  use  to  go  arter  him,"  Lewey  said.  "  He  vill  get  avay  from 
us.  Call  back  de  dog." 

We  whistled  to  Jack  to  return,  and  the  plucky  little  animal  gave  up  the 
pursuit,  but,  when  he  joined  us,  we  could  see  disgust  on  his  expressive  face, 
because  he  had  not  been  more  successful  in  the  chase. 

We  returned  to  the  old  sailor,  and  wondered  what  the  shot  meant,  and 
if  the  rifle  bullet  was  an  accident,  or  the  result  of  a  deliberate  plan  to  rid 
the  Scotchman  of  the  cares  of  the  world,  or  to  show  contempt  for  his  hat, 
in  which  he  took  so  much  pride. 


Lewey  and  I.  33 


"  Well,  old  man,:'  we  said,  "what  do  you  make  of  this?  " 

"  I  don't  make  much  of  it,"  he  answered,  "  except  that  I  nearly  lost  the 
number  of  my  mess.  The  cuss  came  pretty  near  the  old  man's  head.  An 
inch  lower  and  he  would  have  had  me. " 

"  Have  you  an  enemy  in  San  Diego  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Not  that  I  knows  of.  To  be  sure,  a  fellow  can't  get  drunk,  and  clean 
out  a  town  of  greasers,  without  some  person  getting  hurted,  but  I  did  n't 
think  any  one  held  a  grudge  agin  me  since  I  allers  healed  all  the  wounds 
with  a  drink  at  my  expense." 

"  You  has  not  to  some  voman  made  de  love,  and  den  vhat  you  call  de- 
serted her,  has  you  ?  "  asked  Lewey. 

"  No,"  was  the  prompt  reply.  "  I  don't  bothers  with  female  greasers  like 
some  people." 

As  there  was  no  solution  to  the  problem,  we  rode  on  toward  the  captain's 
house,  and  arrived  there  just  at  dark,  when  we  met  peons  ready  to  look  af- 
ter our  horses,  and  then  Mr.  Fitch  came  out,  and  made  us  welcome,  and  led 
us  to  a  small  room  that  overlooked  the  garden,  where  we  found  some  fruit, 
and  were  told  to  make  ourselves  as  comfortable  as  possible  until  the  proper 
time  for  our  appearance  before  the  company. 

The  house  was  lighted  in  every  part,  and  we  could  smell  the  odor  of 
cooked  viands,  and  hear  the  shrill  voices  of  the  servants,  as  they  called  to 
each  other  to  perform  certain  duties.  We  could  note  the  company  as  it  ar- 
rived, and  the  cheery  tones  of  the  captain,  as  he  welcomed  his  guests. 
Then  there  was  the  usual  strumming  of  harps,  and" the  twanging  of  guitars, 
and  an  occasional  song  from  some  sweet-voiced  doncellita,  who  sang  of 
love  and  romance.  At  last  there  was  a  hush,  and  Captain  Fitch,  his  face 
flushed  with  hospitality  and  wine,. came  to  the  room,  and  said  that  the  audi- 
ence was  all  ready  for  us. 

"  Do  the  best  you  can,  boys,"  our  host  remarked.  "  The  alcalda,  and  all 
the  great  people  of  the  town  are  present,  and  count  on  much  amusement  at 
your  hands." 

We  took  our  dishes,  balls,  and  sticks,  and  followed  the  captain  to  the 
principal  room  of  the  house,  where  we  found  a  hundred  ladies  and  gentle- 
men assembled,  and,  as  we  entered  the  apartment,  there  was  a  low  murmur 
of  applause,  and  the  girls  smiled  on  us,  and  waved  their  fans  in  token  of 
recognition,  for  all  of  them  had  seen  us  many  times  when  we  were  members 
of  the  crew  of  the  Admittance,  and  the  little  beauties  came  to  the  ship  for 
the  purpose  of  buying  their  usual  stock  of  finery,  in  the  shape  of  silks  and 
cottons,  laces  and  shoes.  Most  of  the  people  present  did  not  know  that 


34  Lewey  and  I. 


we  had  been  left  on  shore  when  the  ship  sailed,  so  there  was  a  hum  of  as- 
tonishment from  the  men,  and  loud  whispers  on  the  part  of  the  elderly 
ladies. 

Captain  Fitch  introduced  us  to  the  audience  in  a  little  speech,  that  was 
rather  embarrassing  to  us,  even  if  it  was  frank  and  truthful,  and,  while  he 
was  making  his  address,  Lewey  and  I  were  compelled  to  listen  in  modest 
silence. 

"  Ladies  and  gentlemen,"  said  the  candid  captain,  "  these  two  lads  have 
chosen  to  remain  on  shore,  to  be  discharged  from  the  ship,  for  a  certain 
purpose.  Now  I  do  not  believe  that  there  is  a  person  present  who  can 
guess  what  their  motive  is  in  staying  here,  instead  of  returning  to  their 
friends." 

The  girls  giggled  and  whispered  to  each  other,  while  the  old  women 
looked  as  though  they  did  not  care  about  the  matter  at  all.  The  men 
lighted  cigarettes,  and  seemed  to  wonder  when  the  eating  would  begin. 

"These  lads,"  continued  the  captain,  after  a  pause,  "prefer  to  remain  in 
California  because  they  wmt  to  get  married,  and  are  in  love  with  two  dark- 
eyed  girts  of  Ranche  Refugio." 

There  was  a  sensation  among  the  girls.  They  smiled  on  us,  showed 
their  white  teeth,  and  looked  as  though  they  did  not  consider  it  a  crime  to 
be  in  love,  or  to  want  to  marry.  They  rather  approved  of  the  plan,  if  we 
could  judge  by  their  eyes,  while  the  men  groaned,  and  muttered  that  we 
were  locos,  or  crazy.  Lewey  and  I  blushed,  and  thought  that  this  was  more 
embarrassing  than  the  night  at  Monterey,  when  we  electrified  the  audience 
with  our  wonderful  serpent. 

"  I  have  tried  to  talk  this  nonsense  out  of  their  heads,"  continued  the 
captain,  "  as  it  is  not  for  their  good." 

Here  there  were  some  hisses  on  the  part  of  the  young  girls,  and  looks  of 
indignation  directed  toward  the  captain.  The  married  men  applauded,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  and,  when  I  glanced  at  their  wives,  I  did  not  blame 
them. 

"  However,"  continued  Mr.  Fitch,  "  the  question  now  is  for  our  entertain- 
ment, and  not  for  that  of  the  lads.  As  they  grow  older  they  will  know  bet- 
ter, I  have  no  doubt." 

Cries  of  "shame  "  from  the  senoritas,  and  grins  of  approval  from  the 
men. 

"  Without  further  delay,"  the  captain  went  on,  "  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
presenting  to  you  the  young  lads  who  are  anxious  to  give  an  exhibition  of 
legerdemain  for  your  amusement.  Step  this  way,  boys." 


Lewev  and  I.  35 


It  was  rather  embarrassing  to  go  forward  under  such  a  battery  of  bright 
eyes,  for  all  the  girls  were  looking  at  us,  and  our  neat  clothes,  and  more 
than  one  remarked  that  the  French  lad  was  quite  handsome,  which  rather 
encouraged  Lewey,  for  he  was  apt  to  be  conceited  where  women  were  con- 
cerned, and  I  felt  a  little  envious  on  account  of  the  attention  which  his 
good-looking  face  inspired. 

We  took  our  places  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  room,  where  the  lights 
were  the  most  powerful,  and  then  Lewey  balanced  a  plate  on  a  stick, 
whirled  it  around,  let  the  support  rest  on  his  chin,  head,  and  face,  and,  when 
he  had  three  plates,  all  moving  at  once,  the  applause  was  liberal,  and  the 
girls  said  that  it  was  the  most  wonderful  thing  they  had  ever  seen,  and  no 
doubt  they  were  correct,  for  many  of  them  had  never  been  beyond  the  con- 
fines of  San  Diego  in  their  short  and  uneventful  lives. 

Scotch  Jack,  who  was  standing  in  the  doorway,  in  company  with  the  ser 
vants,  shouted  for  "  three  cheers."  Some  one  had  given  him  a  drink  of 
aguardiente,  and  it  was  having  its  usual  effect  on  a  susceptible  disposition. 
A  look  from  the  captain,  however,  silenced  the  sailor,  but  Jack,  our  dog, 
showed  that  he  appreciated  the  call  by  uttering  several  energetic  barks,  and 
then  came  to  the  place  where  we  stood,  and  laid  down,  facing  the  audience, 
and  examined  each  person  present,  as  though  he  had  but  little  respect  for 
any  one  except  those  to  whom  he  owed  allegiance. 

As  soon  as  the  plate  trick  was  exhausted,  I  handed  Lewey  the  balls,  and 
he  kept  them  in  motion  around  his  head,  all  in  a  circle,  and  that  delighted 
the  audience,  for  they  uttered  murmurs  of  surprise,  and  Lewey's  heart 
swelled  with  pride,  as  he  thought  of  the  impression  he  was  making,  and,  as 
I  watched  the  pretty  girls  before  me,  I  wondered  if  we  had  not  better  wait 
a  little  while  before  marrying,  and  see  if  we  could  n't  get  a  few  cattle  and 
hides  as  well  as  brides  ? 

The  next  incident  was  batting  the  sticks,  and  this  was  also  approved,  and 
then  we  gave  them  the  handkerchief  trick,  as  we  had  saved  the  remnants  of 
the  two  pannelos  which  we  used  in  Monterey  While  we  were  employed 
in  putting  the  pieces  in  a  hat,  we  noticed  a  stir  at  the  door,  and  heard  a 
few  loud  words,  and  then  Jack,  the  dog,  started  to  his  feet,  and  would  have 
made  a  rush  to  the  entrance  had  I  not  caught  him  by  the  collar,  and  stifled 
his  barks,  by  pressing  his  jaws  together  so  that  he  could  not  utter  a  sound. 

The  ladies  looked  toward  the  door  in  surprise,  as  if  debating  in  their 
minds  what  the  noise  was  all  about,  and  then  I  saw  Scotch  Jack,  with  his 
white  jumper  on,  pushing  some  one,  as  if  to  prevent  him  from  entering  the 
apartment. 


36  Lewey  and  L 


"  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  noise  at  the  door  ? "  demanded  Captain 
Fitch,  in  a  stern  tone,  for  he  thought  that  some  of  his  servants  had  been 
drinking  a  little  more  of  the  country  wine  than  was  good  for  their  faithful 
attention  to  household  duties.  He  spoke  in  Spanish,  but  the  old  Scotch- 
man knew  enough  of  the  language  to  understand  the  question,  and  he 
answered,  — 

"  A  lot  of  blanked  greasers  want  to  come  in,  and  mix  with  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  and  I  'm  keepin'  'em  out." 

"  But  we  are  coming  in  at  all  hazard,"  a  familiar  voice  said,  and  then 
Don  Antonio  Sanchos,  of  San  Francisco,  followed  by  half  a  dozen  villain- 
ous-looking Mexicans,  pushed  aside  the  servants,  and  entered  the  room. 

"  Sorry  to  disturb  the  company,"  Sanchos  said,  in  a  sneering  tone,  "but 
I  want  that  American  boy.  I  arrest  him  as  a  suspect,  —  a  sospechoso, — 
an  enemy  to  the  State  and  to  Mexico.  He  is  my  prisoner,  in  the  name  of 
the  law.' 


CHAPTER  II. 

DON  ANTONIO  SANCHOS  CREATES  A  SENSATION.  —  HE  CHARGES  ME 
WITH  BEING  A  SPY,  AND  AN  ENEMY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  —  AN  APPEAL 
TO  THE  ALCALDA.  —  SCOTCH  JACK  IS  FULL  OF  FIGHT  AND  AGUAR- 
DIENTE. —  THE  CALABOZO.  —  A  LITTLE  LOVE-MAKING.  —  AN  OATH  OF 
ALLEGIANCE.  —  THE  BLOW,  AND  SANCHOS  THREATS.  —  A  PLAN  FOR 
ESCAPE. 

FOR  a  moment  there  was  a  death-like  silence,  even  Captain  Fitch  seem- 
ing to  be  too  much  surprised  to  speak,  and  the  ladies  and  gentlemen 
mutely  gazed  at  each  other,  at  Sanchos,  and  myself.  I  had  been  pronounced 
a  sospechoso  by  the  biggest  scoundrel  in  California,  and  for  what  reason 
was  beyond  my  comprehension,  although  I  knew  enough  to  be  aware  that 
such  an  accusation,  by  an  unscrupulous  man.  was  not  intended  to  do  me 
any  good  at  that  particular  time,  when  national  feeling  was  raging  quite 
lively,  and  Americans  were  not  in  great  favor  with  the  people  of  the 
State. 

Captain  Fitch,  as  master  of  the  house,  was  the  first  to  recover  speech, 
and  he  showed  the  anger  that  was  raging  within  him  by  his  red  face  and 
flashing  eyes. 

"  You  blanked  scoundrel,"  the  captain  asked,  "  what  do  you  mean  by  en- 
tering the  house  without  an  invitation,  and  disturbing  my  company  in  this 
way  ?  " 

"  Gently,  senor,"  the  Mexican  said,  as  he  rubb'd  the  scar  on  the  back  of 
his  right  hand,  and  glanced  around  the  room,  "  Let  us  have  no  harsh 
words  here,  for  I  am  one  to  command  tonight,  and  not  to  be  commanded. 
I  am  here  to  arrest  that  American  boy,  and  shall  take  him  into  custody,  and 
land  him  in  the  calabozo.  Let  no  man  stand  in  my  way  at  his  peril." 

"  Dog  of  a  greaser  "  shouted  Captain  Fitch,  "  if  you  lay  a  hand  on  that 


38  Lewey  and  /. 


American  lad  I  '11  have  you  flogged  through  the  town  at  the  tail  of  a  cart. 
The  alcalda  is  here  in  the  room,  and  will  give  the  order.  Get  you  gone, 
and  the  cut  throats  that  you  have  brought  with  you.  This  is  no  place  for 
you  and  your  companions.  Depart,  or  I  '11  command  my  servants  to  pun- 
ish you." 

"  Have  a  moment's  patience,  O  renegade  of  a  Yankee,"  Don  Sanchos 
said,  in  a  sneering  tone,  but,  before  he  could  utter  another  word,  Scotch 
Jack,  who  had  in  some  mysterious  manner  put  out  of  sight  two  glasses  of 
aguardiente,  and  was  fast  getting  into  a  fighting  mood,  when  he  would  stop 
at  nothing  that  stood  before  him,  raised  one  of  his  hardened,  ponderous 
fists,  and  struck  the  foul-mouthed  greaser  under  the  ear,  and  he  tumbled  to 
the  floor  as  though  felled  by  the  axe  of  an  abattoir  butcher,  and  then  our 
dog,  thinking  that  he  saw  a  good  chance  to  put  in  a  little  work  on  his  own 
account,  made  a  spring  for  the  fallen  man,  and  would  have  seized  him  by 
the  throat,  if  Lewey  had  not  run  up,  and  dragged  him  away  just  in  time  to 
prevent  serious  injuries  to  the  prostrate  fellow's  windpipe. 

The  ladies  were  a  little  excited,  and  arose  from  their  seats,  perhaps  the 
better  to  see  the  battle,  while  the  men  regarded  the  whole  thing  as  some- 
thing gotten  up  for  their  especial  benefit,  and  would  not  have  cared  if  there 
had  been  more  fighting,  only  with  the  proviso  that  knives  should  be  drawn, 
and  blood  shed,  for  the  sake  of  variety.  A  Mexican  can  endure  a  large 
amount  of  cruelty  if  there  is  a  liberal  flow  of  blood  thrown  in,  to  give  it 
spice,  although,  as  a  general  thing,  he  don't  care  to  spill  his  own  vital  fluid 
nearly  as  well  as  his  neighbors'. 

The  several  Mexicans  who  had  accompanied  Don  Sanchos  to  the  house 
seemed  a  little  disconcerted  at  the  fall  of  their  leader,  and  two  of  them  laid 
their  hands  on  the  hilts  of  large  cuchillos,  as  if  with  the  intention  of  using 
them,  and,  had  they  carried  out  their  intention,  the  Scotchman  would  have 
been  cut  to  pieces,  as  he  was  unarmed,  before  his  friends  could  go  to  his 
assistance. 

"  Is  there  another  greaser  what  wants  to  stand  afore  me  ? "  demanded  the 
old  sailor,  the  native  rum  beginning  to  work.  "  If  there  is,  just  set  him 
foul  of  me.  I  can  lick  a  dozen  of  'em,  and  not  half  try." 

"  Be  quiet,  Jack,"  commanded  Captain  Fitch.  "  You  will  make  a  bad 
matter  worse  by  your  hasty  action.  This  is  something  that  can't  be  set- 
tled by  a  rough-and-tumble  fight.  The  law  will  reach  the  fellow  who  came 
here  and  insulted  us  as  he  has  done.  The  alcalda  must  attend  to  him.'' 

"  Yes,"  said  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  town,  "  I  will  look  after  him  to- 
morrow. No  one  can  be  arrested  in  San  Diego  without  my  warrant.  The 


Lewey  and  I.  39 


American  lad  shall  not  be  disturbed.  He  is  a  good  boy,  and  has  done 
nothing  that  makes  him  a  sospechoso." 

The  young  girls  murmured  their  approval  of  this  edict,  but,  while  they 
were  thus  expressing  their  satisfaction  at  the  alcalda's  assurances,  Don 
Sanchos  slowly  arose  from  the  floor,  shook  his  head,  as  if  to  be  assured 
that  it  was  on  his  shoulders,  rubbed  the  scar  on  his  hand,  scowled  at  Lewey 
and  myself,  at  Captain  Fitch  and  Scotch  Jack,  and,  when  he  could  collect 
his  scattered  senses,  thus  addressed  the  company  :  — 

"  I  have  been  struck  by  a  gringo,  but  a  brave  Mexican  gentleman  knows 
how  to  avenge  his  honor  without  the  aid  of  law.  I  will  look  after  the  mari- 
naro  some  time  when  he  will  not  expect  a  visit  from  me.  Now  I  have 
other  work.  Senor  Alcalda,  I  demand  the  arrest  of  the  Americano  mucha- 
cho  as  a  sospechoso  and  spy." 

"  Bosh  !"  returned  the  official,  or  something  equivalent  to  it.  "  Of  what 
do  you  suspect  the  boy  ?  " 

"  Of  being  a  spy,  left  here  to  note  the  actions  of  the  brave  Califor- 
nians." 

There  was  a  little  sensation  at  these  words,  for  Sanchos  had  hit  the 
weak  side  of  the  Mexican  character,  —  suspicion  of  all  foreigners,  and 
readiness  to  believe  evil  of  them. 

"  The  boy  was  left  on  shore  with  his  companion  because  they  had  the 
smallpox,  and  it  was  thought  they  would  die  if  taken  to  sea.  I  am  their 
guardian,  and  will  be  security  for  their  good  behaviour,"  the  captain  said, 
addressing  the  alcalda,  and  the  gentlemen  present. 

"That  is  good!  That  is  enough,"  was  the  muttered  exclamation,  for 
Captain  Fitch  had  lived  many  years  in  San  Diego,  and  was  well  liked  by 
all  parties. 

"  It  is  not  enough,"  cried  the  Mexican  greaser,  with  a  savage  growl. 
"  I  demand  the  arrest  of  the  Americano." 

"You  may  demand  until  you  are  tired  and  thirsty,"  the  alcalda  said  in  a 
stern  tone.  "  The  boy  shall  not  be  arrested  or  molested.  I  have  said  it, 
and  a  Mexican  gentleman  never  violates  his  word." 

This  so  amused  Lewey  that  he  actually  turned  and  winked  at  me,  and 
then  smiled  in  a  subdued  manner  at  the  eager-looking  senoritas  who  were 
before  him. 

"  Then  see  what  effect  this  will  have  on  you,"  Don  Sanchos  cried,  as  he 
took  from  his  bosom  a  paper,  sealed  with  sealing  wax,  held  it  over  his  head, 
waved  it  in  triumph,  and  continued,  "  The  United  States  and  Mexico  are 
now  at  war.  That  is  the  report  at  San  Francisco.  Our  land  is  already  in- 


4O  Lewey  and  I. 


vaded  by  a  horde  of  robbers,  under  one  Fremont,  who  refuses  to  leave  our 
borders.  Every  one  who  is  not  for  us  is  against  us.  Senor  Alcalda,  read 
this  document,  and  see  if  I  have  authority  to  act  as  I  do,"  and  Don  San- 
chos  handed  the  paper  to  the  town  official,  and  then  gave  me  a  glance  that 
showed  some  of  the  hate  burning  in  his  breast,  and  which  had  been  smoth- 
ered for  a  time,  when  he  supposed  there  was  no  opportunity  to  revenge  his 
fancied  wrongs. 

He  touched  the  scar  on  his  hand  as  he  looked  at  me,  and  I  saw  that  he 
was  likely  to  prove  a  bitter  enemy  if  he  could  have  his  own  way  in  regard  to 
my  treatment. 

The  alcalda  took  the  document,  and,  as  he  slowly  opened  it,  Sanchos 
said,  — 

"  You  will  see  that  General  Castro,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  Mexi- 
can forces  in  this  State,  has  appointed  me  as  his  courier  and  secret  agent, 
with  power  to  arrest  all  sospechosos  in  California.  That  document  is  also 
endorsed  by  the  governor,  and  by  Pio  Pico,  and  his  brother,  Andreus  Pico, 
the  second  in  command.  Let  no  one  interfere  with  me,  or  cross  me  in  my 
line  of  duty.  I  am  supreme." 

"  But  not  in  my  house,"  cried  the  hot-headed  Captain  Fitch.  "  You  and 
Castro  may  be  blanked  for  all  that  I  care,  but  you  can't  enter  my  premises, 
and  arrest  a  boy  on  your  absurd  suspicions.  Leave  the  place,  or  I  '11  kick 
you  and  your  gang  of  thieves  out  of  the  room." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  assent  to  this  threat  from  the  gentlemen  present, 
and  the  impulsive  Lewey  called  out  for  three  cheers  for  the  host,  but  no 
one  responded  except  Scotch  Jack,  who  gave  a  yell  that  made  even  Sanchos 
turn  toward  the  door,  in  the  expectation  of  seeing  a  rescuing  party  near  at 
hand. 

The  alcalda  was  a  very  cautious  man,  and  rather  conservative.  He  knew 
the  power  that  devolved  upon  him  as  a  law  officer,  and  would  take  no  risks. 
He  did  not  propose  to  butt  his  head  against  the  military  and  civic  officers  of 
the  State,  when  the  only  question  was  a  boy,  a  beach-comber,  who  was  of 
no  account  in  the  affairs  of  California.  Therefore  the  magistrate  did  not 
hasten  his  movements  as  he  read  the  official  document  before  him.  The 
young  girls  were  in  an  agony  of  impatience  as  usual,  and  asked  him  to  hur- 
ry up,  so  that  they  could  learn  the  final  decision.  The  announcement 
which  Captain  Fitch  had  made  early  in  the  evening,  that  we  were  in  love 
and  wanted  to  get  married,  had  great  influence  in  swaying  their  judgment, 
and,  to  a  girl,  they  were  with  us,  as  far  as  sympathy  was  concerned. 

"  The  poor  boy,"  one  young  creature  said,  looking  at  me  with  tearful 


Lewey  and  L 


eyes.  "  Only  think  what  a  misfortune  it  would  be  for  him  if  he  should  not 
obtain  a  wife  after  all." 

I  tried  to  maintain  my  composure  during  the  whole  of  the  tumult,  but  did 
not  feel  any  too  comfortable  when  I  thought  of  my  future,  or  what  was  to 
become  of  me  in  case  the  villain  Sanchos  once  had  it  in  his  power  to  do  as 
he  pleased,  and  to  pay  off  old  scores  for  the  unfortunate  blow  of  the  boat- 
hook.  Lewey  gave  me  an  encouraging  glance  once  in  a  while,  as  if  to  as- 
sure me  that  he  would  stand  by  my  side  in  adversity,  and  Jack,  the  dog, 
crouched  at  my  feet,  and  showed  his  white,  sharp-pointed  teeth  every  time 
the  San  Francisco  ruffian  spoke. 

"  The  document,"  said  the  alcalda  at  last,  "  is  perfectly  correct.  Don 
Antonio  Sanchos  claims  nothing  that  this  paper  does  not  impower  him  to 
do.  He  can  arrest  any  sospechoso  that  he  pleases,  and  I  must  lend  him 
my  aid  if  he  requires  it.  But  there  is  no  one  here  tonight  who  believes 
that  the  boy  is  a  spy,  or  a  suspicious  person,  and  he  can  prove  that  very 
easily.  He  is  a  native  of  the  United  States,  but  that  does  not  make  him  an 
enemy  at  the  present  time.  Until  we  have  received  from  Mexico  an  official 
notice  that  war  is  declared,  we  are  bound  to  protect  him,  and  shall  do  so 
until  further  orders." 

"  Three  cheers  for  de  alcalda  of  San  Diego,"  cried  Lewey  in  English, 
and  Scotch  Jack  joined  in  the  howl  with  much  spirit,  for  he  had  got  hold  of 
another  glass  of  aguardiente,  in  some  mysterious  manner,  and  it  was  telling 
on  him  by  actions  and  words.  He  already  began  to  weary  of  standing  idle, 
and  wanted  to  fight  some  one  for  the  love  of  it.  He  had  already  forgotten 
his  promises. 

"  Keep  quiet,  my  lad,"  Captain  Fitch  said,  in  a  mild  tone.  "You  make 
too  much  noise  for  a  small  boy,"  addressing  Lewey. 

"  But  jist  dink  of  de  occasion,  sir,"  was  the  French  lad's  response.  "  It 
is  not  de  often  time  dat  one  friend  of  mine  is  nabbed  by  a  willain  as 'a  sos- 
pechoso. He  is  good.  He  is  noble.  For  him  I  die." 

"  Well,  you  won't  have  to  do  that  just  at  present,"  the  captain  said.  "  I 
will  stand  by  him  and  you  as  long  as  I  have  a  shot  in  the  locker,  and  it  will 
go  hard  unless  we  get  the  boy  out  of  this  scrape." 

The  alcalda  waited  until  the  conversation  ceased.  He  was  not  a  man  to 
do  anything  in  a  hurry.  He  even  lighted  a  cigarette,  —  one  that  his  wife 
rolled  for  him,  and  had  all  ready  by  the  time  he  finished  reading  Sanchos' 
document. 

"  Now,"  said  the  chief  official  of  the  town,  as  he  took  a  whiff,  and  let  the 
smoke  escape  from  his  nostrils  in  two  streams,  like  the  spout  of  a  right 


42  Lewey  and  I. 


whale,  "  the  boy  is  an  American.  That  he  admits.  He  does  not  belong  to 
any  ship.  That  also  is  admitted,"  turning  to  Captain  Fitch. 

The  old  gentleman  bowed  an  acquiescence  to  the  statement. 

"  Very  well.  He  probably  has  a  full  discharge  in  regular  form,"  the 
alcalda  continued. 

"  I  demand  to  see  it,"  Don  Sanchos  cried  in  an  impatient  tone,  for  mat- 
ters did  not  move  along  as  fast  as  he  thought  they  should. 

"  Wait  until  the  proper  time  arrives,"  the  official  said  quite  calmly. 

"  I  have  the  discharge  of  both  boys  locked  up  in  my  safe,  with  their 
scanty  hoard  of  dollars,"  the  captain  interrupted. 

"  We  will  come  to  that  presently,"  the  alcalda  remarked.  "  As  far  as  I 
am  concerned  your  word  is  sufficient." 

"  But  not  for  me,"  Sanchos  growled,  like  a  beast,  hungry  for  its  prey. 

"  Oh,  may  the  saints  have  me  in  their  keeping,  but  at  what  time  are  we 
going  to  have  supper?"  yawned  an  elderly  lady,  who  cared  nothing  for 
law,  or  any  pleasures,  except  those  of  the  table.  She  had  come  for  a  feast, 
and  feared  that  it  would  be  cold  before  the  tables  were  spread,  and  the 
company  called  in. 

"  Peace,  amigo,"  the  alcalda  remarked  to  the  Mexican  half-caste,  and 
paying  no  attention  to  the  female's  moans.  "  There  is  but  one  thing  to  be 
decided  upon  at  the  present  time,  and  that  we  can  arrive  at  very  quickly." 

The  old  fellow  beamed  on  us  boys,  and  then  said,  as  he  folded  up  the 
official  document,  — 

"  Now  let  the  lads  produce  their  protections,  and  all  will  be  well.  They 
can  rely  on  them  to  show  that  the  American  government  has  spread  its 
arms  over  the  sailors,  and  is  able  to  take  care  of  all  who  can  boast  of 
United  States  birth.  The  protections  will  prove  that,  even  if  the  boys  are 
enemies  of  the  great  and  glorious  Republic  of  Mexico,  they  can  be  held  as 
prisoners  or  war  only,  and  are  thus  entitled  to  that  kind  and  humane  treat- 
ment which  our  country  always  bestows  upon  those  who  fall  into  its 
power." 

Lewey  looked  at  me  in  consternation.  Our  protections  were  on  board 
the  Admittance.  Mine  in  my  own  name,  and  Lewey's  under  some  alias, 
picked  up  by  an  unscrupulous  shipping-master,  and  sent  to  the  Boston 
custom  house  a  few  days  before  we  sailed,  to  prove  that  two-thirds  of  the 
crew  were  natives  of  America,  as  the  laws  of  Congress  required,  but  which 
every  ship-captain  and  owner  violated  week  after  week,  because  not 
enough  United-States  residents  could  be  induced  to  turn  their  attention  to 
the  sea,  starve,  and  be  ill-treated  on  ship-board.  Alas,  the  Admittance  was 


Lewey  and  I.  A? 


more  than  a  thousand  miles  from  San  Diego,  on  her  passage  home.  Cap- 
tain Peterson  had  gone  away  and  left  us  without  giving  our  protections  a 
single  thought.  We  had  not  seen  the  documents  from  the  time  we  gave 
them  in  charge  of  the  captain,  some  three  years  before,  in  Boston. 

"  Now,  lads,"  cried  Captain  Fitch,  "  just  tell  me  where  the  protections 
are,  and  when  they  can  be  seen,  and  then  we  will  have  a  bit  of  supper,  and 
turn  these  vagabonds  out  of  the  house." 

We  made  no  reply,  and  could  not.  We  saw  th£t  we  were  in  a  disagreea- 
ble predicament,  and  did  not  feel  like  crushing  the  captain  by  our  confes- 
sion that  we  had  no  protections  to  show  the  alcalda. 

"  Why  do  the  boys  hesitate  ? "  sneered  Sanchos,  and  held  the  vivid  scar 
up  to  view,  striking  it  gently  with  his  left  hand. 

The  scoundrel,  quick-witted  and  unscrupulous,  suspected  the  true  state 
of  the  case,  and  there  was  a  fierce  light  in  his  black,  evil  eyes,  as  he 
continued,  — 

"  The  French  lad  will  go  unharmed,  even  if  he  has  no  protection.  I  owe 
him  no  ill-will,  if  he  did  insult  me  one  day  at  Yerba  Buena.  He  is  a  native 
of  a  friendly  country,  at  the  present  time,  so  let  him  pass.  It  is  the  Yan- 
kee gringo  whom  I  want  to  settle  with.  He  once  struck  me  with  a  boat- 
hook,  and  here  is  the  wound,"  holding  up  the  black  and  dirty  hand  on 
which  the  scar  was  deeply  imprinted. 

"You  needed  the  blow,"  I  said,  as  I  saw  the  audience  disposed  to  sym- 
pathize with  the  fellow.  "You  insulted  a  relative  of  General  M.  G.  Vallejo. 
She  complained  to  me,  and  I  punished  you  as  you  deserved.  I  would  have 
done  the  same  thing  had  one  of  these  young  ladies  or  their  mothers  been 
forced  to  blush  at  the  rudeness  of  an  impolite  man  like  you." 

There  was  a  ripple  of  applause,  and  the  ladies  seemed  to  change  sides 
once  more,  to  range  themselves  among  my  friends.  Sanchos  saw  this,  and 
quickly  endeavored  to  counteract  it. 

"  We  have  talked  enough  for  one  evening,"  he  said.  "  The  point  is  not 
what  I  or  the  muchachos  did,  for  those  are  old  accounts.  The  question 
now  is,  has  the  boy  a  protection,  or  is  he  a  matriculador?  The  records 
have  been  searched,  and  he  has  not  applied  for  registry.  Now  let  him  fur- 
nish the  alcalda  with  his  protection." 

"  That  is  just,"  some  of  the  men  said,  looking  at  each  other. 

"  The  saints  defend  us,  but  will  the  men  never  cease  talking  so  that  we 
can  have  some  supper,"  cried  two  or  three  of  the  old  women. 

"  Yes,  tell  us  of  your  protection,"  the  alcalda  cried,  turning  to  me. 

"  Lie  a  little  about  it,"  whispered  Lewey.     "  Anyding  for  a  delay  of  a  few 


44  Lewey  and  I. 


hours,  so  ve  can  hire  some  von  to  knock  de  greaser  in  de  head,  and  put  him 
out  of  de  vay.  Lie,  if  you  never  did  afore  such  a  ding  do." 

But  I  disliked  to  take  the  advice,  for  I  thought  the  question  might  as 
well  be  met  one  time  as  another.  I  did  not  believe  that  the  Mexicans 
would  dare  to  injure  a  good  boy,  one  who  had  never  made  himself  conspicu- 
ous except  in  ducking  the  old  ladies  and  men  in  the  surf  at  the  other  ports. 
But  the  people  of  San  Diego  could  never  have  heard  of  such  misfortunes, 
and  would  not  have  paid  much  attention  to  them  if  they  had,  supposing 
they  were  accidents  of  the  ordinary  nature. 

"  No,  Lewey,"  I  said,  turning  to  the  boy,  and  speaking  in  English,  "  I 
will  not  lie  to  shield  myself  from  harm." 

"  More  de  fool  yous  be,"  he  stuttered  in  his  eagerness.  **  I  lie  for  any 
one,  and  to  save  mine  friend,  much  more  den  vot  is  good  for  me.  Do  not 
much  de  truth  speak  now." 

"  Senor  Alcalda,"  I  said,  "  I  throw  myself  upon  your  generosity.  I  had 
a  protection,  but  it  is  now  on  board  the  ship  Admittance.  I  forgot  that  I 
should  need  any  on  shore.  I  am  an  American,  but  not  a  dangerous 
one." 

"  No,  I  '11  swear  to  that,"  Captain  Fitch  remarked.  "  You  are  one  of  the 
nicest  boys  I  ever  saw,"  which  was  complimentary,  if  not  exactly  true. 

"  Then  you  admit,  Mr.  Alcalda,  that  I  have  the  power  to  arrest  the  gringo 
as  a  sospechoso  ?  "  asked  Sanchos. 

"I  do  not  deny  that  you  are  authorized  to  imprison  him  if  you  see  prop- 
er. I  shall  not  assist  in  the  act,  nor  prevent  you.  But  I  should  advise 
you  to  let  him  alone,  and  become  a  matriculaclor  in  proper  form." 

"  Never,"  was  the  surly  answer.  "  He  is  my  prey,  and  the  pain  and  hu- 
miliation of  this  wound  shall  be  repaid  by  his  punishment." 

"  I  will  go  security  for  the  lad's  appearance  at  any  place,  at  any  time,  and 
before  any  court,"  said  Captain  Fitch.  "  Name  the  sum  desired,  and  I  '11 
be  responsible  for  it  to  the  last  peso." 

"  It  is  in  vain  you  plead,"  was  the  defiant  answer.  "  There  are  no  longer 
any  courts  in  California,"  shouted  Sanchos,  with  a  devilish  leer  of  triumph 
on  his  black,  hairy  face. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ? "  asked  half  a  dozen  of  the  most  prominent  men, 
among  them  the  alcalda. 

"  This  is  what  I  mean,"  cried  the  vindictive  scamp,  as  he  pulled  a  second 
paper  from  his  bosom.  "  All  the  civil  and  criminal  courts  of  California  are 
closed  by  the  order  of  General  Castro  and  Pio  Pico.  Martial  law  has  been 
proclaimed  from  the  north  to  the  south.  Here  is  the  pronunciamento 


Lewey  and  I. 


signed  by  the  gentlemen  named.  War  is  now  raging,  and  the  soldier  steps 
to  the  front." 

The  alcalda  read  the  paper  in  his  usual  calm  manner,  while  the  Mexicans 
in  the  room  looked  at  each  other  in  mute  surprise.  They  saw  forced  loans, 
seizure  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  no  law  but  a  tyrant's  will,  or  the  caprice  of 
some  pompous  officer  placed  over  them. 

*'  Dios  gracios,  will  the  feast  never  be  served  ?  "  muttered  the  hungry  old 
ladies.  "  It  is  talk,  talk,  talk,  and  the  food  is  spoiling,  we  know." 

"  I  must  bow  to  the  will  of  the  general  and  his  advisers,"  the  alcalda 
said,  rather  reluctantly,  as  I  imagined,  after  a  moment's  thought.  "  The 
lad  is  in  the  custody  of  the  agent  of  the  government,  and  he  can  do  with 
him  as  he  pleases,  but  I  shall  immediately  write  to  General  Castro,  stating 
all  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  offering  to  be  personally  responsible  for  the 
boy  as  long  as  he  remains  under  my  jurisdiction.  I  will  send  the  letter  by 
a  special  courier,  with  orders  to  ride  day  and  night  until  .the  general  is 
found.  He  is  probably  in  Monterey,  so  I  can  hope  to  get  an  answer  in  ten 
or  fifteen  days  at  most.  And  in  the  mean  time  the"  lad  shall  have  good 
treatment,  but  he  must  remain  in  the  custody  of  Don  Sanchos,  and  I  hope 
that  he  will  be  considerate  and  careful  of  his  welfare." 

"  Oh,  I  will  be  very  tender  with  the  boy,"  sneered  the  Mexican  scoundrel. 
"  But,  to  prevent  all  mistakes,  shall  lodge  him  in  the  calabozo  until  I  re- 
ceive further  instructions." 

"  You  will  not  dare  to  commit  him  to  prison  !  "  cried  Captain  Fitch, 
speaking  English  in  his  excitement. 

"  Send  one  of  my  shipmates  to  the  calabozo !  "  roared  Scotch  Jack. 
"  Blank  me  if  I  stands  that,  you  know.  Here  's  one  who  will  make  a  fight 
over  it,  no  matter  what  you  white-livered  Mexicans  may  do  about  the 
matter." 

He  raised  his  ponderous  right  fist,  and  let  it  fall  upon  the  face  of  the 
nearest  follower  of  Don  Sanchos,  and  the  fellow  dropped  to  the  floor,  with 
blood  gushing  from  his  nose. 

Half  a  dozen  knives  were  drawn,  and  flashed  in  the  lamp-light,  and  Jack's 
days  would  have  been  numbered  had  not  the  mayordomo  of  Captain  Fitch's 
establishment  struck  up  the  arms  of  the  nearest  ladrones,  gave  Jack  a  vio- 
lent push,  that  sent  him  reeling  from  the  room,  and  then  hastily  closed  the 
door,  and  prevented  the  angry  men  from  wreaking  their  vengeance  on  the 
sailor.  We  heard  a  loud  altercation  in  the  entry,  and  theri  all  was  hushed. 
Scotch  Jack  had  been  hustled  out  of  the  way,  and  perhaps  pacified  with  a 
glass  of  grog,  or  the  promise  of  one. 


46  Lewey  and  L 


In  the  mean  time  Lewey  and  I  had  remained  passive  spectators  of  the 
scene,  for  we  knew  that  we  could  not  hope  for  success  in  a  contest  with 
men  who  would  have  liked  the  job  of  cutting  us  to  pieces  at  the  bidding  of 
their  leader.  Had  we  been  armed  with  rifles  and  pistols  we  could  have 
driven  the  crowd  of  robbers  out  of  the  house  in  confusion,  for  they  were 
not  the  men  to  stand  before  cold  lead  and  good  marksmen.  But  we  had 
only  our  pocket-knives,  and  they  were  useless  in  the  presence  of  half- 
breeds,  who  knew  how  to  handle  long  and  keen  cuchillos  from  their  child- 
hood. 

Under  these  circumstances  we  concluded  that  it  was  best  to  submit  to 
the  inevitable,  although  it  cost  Lewey  a  groan  as  he  ranged  alongside  of 
me,  and  whispered,  — 

"  Ve  can't  fight  much  now,  and  you  go  must,  but  don't  fear.  I  stick  you 
by,  and  nebber  leave  mine  dear  ami,"  and  Mr.  Fitch  also  took  occasion  to 
say,  in  a  low  tone,  — 

"  Make  no  resistance,  Thorn.  The  scamps  have  got  us  in  their  power 
and  can  do  as  they  please,  but  no  one  shall  harm  you  at  present.  I  am  well 
acquainted  with  General  Castro,  and  will  write  to  him  all  the  facts  of  the 
case,  and  secure  your  liberation.  He  will  soon  want  some  money,  and  not 
a  dollar  shall  he  get  from  me  unless  he  complies  with  my  request." 

"Senor  Alcalda,"  asked  Sanchos,  during  a  moment's  pause,  "is  the  boy 
my  prisoner?" 

"  Yes,  if  you  choose  to  take  him,"  was  the  answer.  "  But  I  had  much 
rather  you  let  him  go.  I  assure  that  you  that  he  is  harmless.  He  is 
known  to  all  of  us." 

"  Of  that  I  am  the  best  judge,"  was  the  sullen  reply,  and  then  the  fellow 
rubbed  the  scar  on  his  hand,  and  motioned  for  his  followers  to  approach. 
"  Seize  that  boy,  and  tie  his  hands  so  that  he  can't  use  them.,"  was  the  or- 
der given. 

The  ruffians  were  only  too  glad  to  obey.  They  approached,  with  several 
narrow  strips  of  rawhide  in  their  hands,  but,  just  as  they  were  about  to 
bind  me,  Jack,  the  dog,  thought  that  things  had  gone  far  enough,  and  that 
he  would  interfere.  As  one  of  the  men  attempted  to  secure  my  arms,  the 
animal  made  a  powerful  leap,  and,  with  an  angry  growl,  fastened  his  sharp 
teeth  in  the  neck  of  the  ruffian,  and  held  on  as  though  my  life  depended  on 
the  power  of  his  jaws. 

"  Maldito  perro  de  presa  !  "  was  the  exclamation,  and  the  vaquero  reached 
for  his  long  knife,  but,  before  he  could  lay  his  hands  on  it,  Lewey  sprang 
forward,  grasped  Jack  by  the  neck,  and  choked  him  until  he  released  his 


Lewey  and  I.  49 


hold,  and  then  the  French  lad  held  the  struggling  animal  in  his  arms  so 
that  none  of  the  injured  man's  friends  could  get  at  him  with  a  knife,  and 
end  his  earthly  career. 

"  On  with  the  lashings,"  shouted  Sanchos.  "  It  is  one  more  charge 
against  the  sospechoso.  You  shall  be  revenged  for  this,  as  well  as  I  for 
my  injuries." 

"  Pobrecita  muchacho,"  murmured  the  young  ladies  present,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  they  did  pity  me,  for  their  faces  showed  it,  and  more 
than  one  shed  tears  at  the  cruel  treatment  I  was  receiving. 

Two  men  grasped  my  arms,  and  held  them  behind  my  back,  while  a  third 
under  Sanchos'  inspection,  tied  my  hands  in  such  shape  that  .1  could  not 
move  them.  The  lashings  cut  into  the  flesh,  and  were  very  painful,  but  I 
did  not  permit  my  enemies  to  see  that  I  was  suffering,  for  I  would  not  let 
them  enjoy  such  a  triumph  as  they  counted  upon. 

Lewey  said  it  was  a  shame,  and  that  he  would  like  to  punch  the  heads  of 
the  men  wno  surrounded  me,  but,  as  Captain  Fitch  warned  him  to  keep 
quiet,  he  was  forced  to  be  content,  and  grumble  in  French  his  deep  dis- 
pleasure. 

"  Leave  everything  to  me,"  the  captain  said.  "  I  know  these  scoundrels 
better  than  you  do,  and  can  manage  them  after  a  fashion.  I  will  see  you 
in  the  morning,  at  the  calabozo,  and  you  shall  find  a  good  breakfast  at  your 
disposal." 

"  Where  to  ? "  asked  one  of  the  vaqueros,  turning  to  Sanchos  for 
instructions. 

"  The  calabozo,"  was  the  reply.  "  Lead  the  prisoner  along,  and  see  that 
he  does  not  escape." 

"  Me  go  too,"  Lewey  said,     "  I  no  lose  sight  of  mine  friend." 

"  We  will  go  together,"  Captain  Fitch  remarked.  "  I  shall  not  leave  the 
lad  until  he  is  under  lock  and  key." 

He  turned  to  his  guests,  and  said  simply,  — 

"  I  shall  be  absent  but  a  short  time." 

Here  the  old  ladies  uttered  a  dismal  groan,  and  looked  the  consternation 
they  felt  as  they  thought  of  the  feast. 

"  But,"  continued  the  captain,  "  I  shall  order  the  supper  to  be  placed 
upon  the  tables  immediately,  and  request  my  friend,  the  alcalda,  to  preside, 
and  act  as  host,  in  my  absence." 

"Bueno,"was  the  general  exclamation,  and  the  old  ladies  looked  as 
though  they  wanted  to  s:ive  three  cheers,  while  the  men  muttered  a  compli- 
ment at  the  captain's  consideration  for  their  hunger. 


5°  Lewey  and  I. 


Two  of  the  dirty  greasers  took  my  arms  so  that  I  could  not  bolt  and 
make  a  run  for  it,  and,  with  the  triumphant  Sanchos  leading  the  way,  and  a 
flank  guard  of  four  or  five  men,  Captain  Fitch  and  Lewey  following  in  my 
wake,  we  left  the  house  where  we  had  expected  so  much  pleasure,  and 
passed  into  the  street.  A  dozen  or  twenty  Indians  and  low,  half-breed 
Mexicans  were  hovering  near  the  door,  waiting  for  the  feast  to  be  over  so 
that  the  remnants  would  be  turned  over  to  them.  They  only  stared  at  us, 
and  asked  the  captain  how  much  longer  they  would  have  to  hunger  for  the 
cold  viands,  the  scent  of  which  they  were  patiently  sniffing,  at  the  open 
windows  and  doors  ? 

The  captain  encouraged  them  to  be  quiet  for  a  little  while  longer,  and 
assured  all  that  there  would  be  no  lack  of  food,  and  so  passed  on.  He  was 
very  pleasant  to  the  crowd,  and  it  was  policy  on  his  part  to  be  civil,  for  he 
wanted  friends  just  then,  and  as  few  enemies  as  possible. 

The  streets  were  dark,  but  the  houses  were  lighted,  and  in  some  of  them 
fandangos  were  going  on.  We  could  hear  the  twanging  of  guitars,  the 
notes  of  an  occasional  harp,  and  once  in  a  while  the  shrill  yell  of  some  fe- 
male as  she  tried  to  amuse  her  auditory  by  a  song  of  sentiment  and 
love. 

I  knew  where  the  calabozo  was  situated  for  I  had  seen  it  many  times 
when  in  town,  the  temporary  residence  of  some  unfortunate  sailor,  who  had 
attempted  to  clean  out  the  village,  when  under  the  powerful  influence  of 
aguardiente,  and,  as  a  result  of  his  spree,  found  himself  in  prison,  and  com- 
pelled to  pay  a  fine  of  five  or  ten  dollars,  just  according  to  the  amount  of 
damage  he  had  committed. 

Sanchos  strode  along,  his  bright-colored  serape  thrown  over  his  shoul- 
ders, and  whispering  to  a  minion  who  appeared  to  be  in  his  confidence. 
This  fellow,  as  I  afterward  learned,  was  Sanchos'  brother  Carlos,  the  next 
wickedest  ladrone  in  California.  They  were  concocting  some  scheme  be- 
tween them,  but  what  it  was  I  could  not  even  guess.  But  I  suspected  that 
it  boded  me  no  good,  if  the  villains  had  their  own  way. 

When  we  arrived  at  the  prison  the  keeper  was  absent,  and  the  only 
signs  of  life  about  the  premises  were  the  howls  and  yells  of  two  or  three 
drunken  Indians,  who  had  been  arrested  for  disturbing  the  peace,  and  the 
next  day  would  be  flogged,  fined,  or  set  to  work  on  the  road,  just  according 
to  their  pecuniary  standing,  or  that  of  their  friends. 

Some  of  the  men  were  despatched  in  various  directions  to  find  the  keep- 
er, who,  m  company  with  his  daughter,  was  attending  a  fandango,  or  other 
entertainment,  and  it  was  half  an  hour  before  the  old  fellow  and  girl  could 


Lewey  and  I.  51 


be  hunted  up.  When  he  did  come  he  growled  at  being  disturbed,  but 
changed  his  complaints  to  compliments  after  he  saw  Captain  Fitch,  for  the 
American  was  the  richest  person  in  San  Diego,  and  was  quite  free  with  his 
money,  when  he  had  a  point  to  carry. 

"  To  the  devil  with  you,"  the  old  Mexican  said  to  those  who  had  dis- 
covered his  whereabouts.  "  Why  did  you  not  state  that  the  Senor  Fitch 
was  inquiring  for  me  ?  I  cry  your  mercy,  good  sir,  for  keeping  you  waiting. 
Take  the  "key,  girl,  and  open  the  door.  Whom  do  you  wish  to  lock  up  ? 
and  what  is  his  crime  ?  Not  murder,  I  hope." 

"  Worse  than  that,"  reported  Sanchos.  "  It  is  for  being  an  enemy  of  our 
glorious  republic.  He  is  a  traitor  to  Mexico,  and  his  doom  certain  death, 
if  the  charge  is  proved  before  a  drum-head  court-martial." 

"  So  may  all  the  enemies  of  Mexico  perish,"  the  old  jailor  said. 

He  had  formerly  served  in  the  army,  and  entertained  a  great  opinion  of 
the  republic,  and  the  responsiblity  of  his  charge. 

The  young  girl,  his  only  child,  opened  the  heavy  door,  and  I  was  pushed 
into  the  building,  while  the  keeper  struck  a  light  with  flint  and  steel.  An 
oil  lamp  was  then  found,  the  wick  picked  up  until  it  smoked  vilely,  and  by 
its  aid  the  keeper  took  a  square  look  at  me,  and  his  astonishment  was  ex- 
pressed on  his  face. 

"  What  the  devil  do  you  bring  this  boy  here  for  ?  "  he  demanded,  "  I 
have  seen  him  a  hundred  times  during  the  past  few  years.  I  have  visited 
his  ship,  and  once  he  gave  me  some  dinner,  because  I  was  not  cabin  com- 
pany. He  is  no  enemy  to  Mexico.  If  we  are  at  war  with  the  United  States 
our  great  republic  does  not  measure  weapons  with  a  mere  muchacho  like 
this.  Take  him  away,  and  God  go  with  you." 

4f  Peace,  you  old  fool,"  Sanchos  said,  in  a  stern  tone.  "  I  am  an  agent  of 
General  Castro,  and  my  word  here  is  law.  The  alcalda  has  examined  my 
papers,  and  pronounced  them  correct.  There  is  no  power  in  San  Diego 
but  such  as  I  choose  to  exercise.  Lock  the  boy  up,  and  your  life  shall  an- 
swer if  he  escape." 

"Is  this  true,  Senor  Fitch?"  the  jailor  asked,  turning  to  the  American, 
or,  rather,  the  man  who  was  formerly  an  American,  for  he  had  become  a 
naturalized  citizen  of  California,  for  the  benefit  of  business  interests,  which 
were  of  some  magnitude. 

"  I  regret  to  state  that  it  is  true,"  was  the  quiet  response. 

"Then  the  more  shame  for  Castro  and  California/'  exclaimed  the  jailor's 
daughter,  rather  a  pretty  girl,  to  whom  Lewey  had  been  paying  a  little  at- 
tention, regardless  of  my  situation.  I  thought  that  I  detected  him  squeez- 


52  Lewey  and  I. 


ing  her  hand,  when  no  one  was  looking,  thus  taking  a  mean  advantage  of 
me,  knowing,  as  he  did,  that  I  could  not  rebuke  him  before  the  crowd. 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  girl,"  growled  Sanchos.  "  General  Castro  is  a  sol- 
dier, a  patriot,  and  knows  what  he  is  doing,  and  what  is  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  California.  We  want  no  spies 'or  traitors  here.  Long  live  the  re- 
public, and  no  mercy  to  los  gringos,"  the  fellow  shouted,  and  his  followers 
took  up  the  cry,  and  the  drunken  Indians  in  the  prison,  thinking  that  death 
was  staring  them  in  the  face,  uttered  howls  of  fear,  and  begged  for 
pardon. 

"  If  the  military  authorities  order  me  to  keep  a  poor  boy  confined,  I  sup- 
pose that  I  must  obey,  but  it  is  a  maldito  shame,"  and  the  jailor  cut  the 
lashings  that  bound  my  arms,  and  then  led  the  way  to  a  small  room,  with 
grated  window,  and,  for  a  wonder,  tolerably  clean.  At  least  it  was  well 
ventilated,  and  there  was  not  such  a  bad  smell  as  many  Mexican  prisons 
can  boast  of. 

"  Not  in  there,"  cried  Sanchos,  seeing  that  I  was  to  have  an  apartment  to 
myself.  "  Let  the  sospechoso  share  the  calabozo  with  the  rest  of  the  in- 
mates. He  must  receive  no  favor  at  your  hands." 

"  But  the  prisoners  are  only  Indians,  and  they  are  drunk,"  pleaded  the 
jailor. 

"  So  much  the  better.  Put  the  spy  with  them,  and  keep  him  there  until 
I  call  for  him.  On  your  head  be  his  care,"  and  once  more  he  gently  rubbed 
his  scar,  and  motioned  for  me  to  enter  an  apartment  that  was  hot  and  dirty, 
and  reeking  with  a  stench  that  almost  made  me  sick.  The  drunken  Indi- 
ans were  wandering  around  the  room,  and  howling  at  intervals,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  expressing  their  sense  of  grief  at  the  punishment  they  were  likely 
to  have  doled  out  to  them  on  the  morrow,  when  arraigned  before  the  alcalda 
for  justice.  All  of  them  were  naked,  except  breech-cloths,  and,  with  their 
long,  coarse  hair  hanging  over  their  shoulders,  and  wild,  black  eyes,  they 
did  not  look  fit  company  for  even  the  most  desperate  of  white  criminals,  much 
less  a  boy  who  had  been  reared  with  some  regard  for  Christian  principles, 
and  felt  degraded  to  have  to  associate  with  such  scum  as  was  now  before 
him. 

"  O  senor,"  cried  the  young  girl,  who  began  to  take  more  of  an  interest 
in  me,  all  owing  to  Lewey's  interference,  and  soft  pressure  of  the  hand, 
"  you  will  not  insist  that  the  muchacho  shall  occupy  the  same  room  as 
these  wild  beasts  ? "  and  she  looked  at  Sanchos  beseechingly,  but  the 
Mexican  was  blind  to  her  blandishments,  and  deaf  to  her  entreaties.  He 
had  resolved  that  I  should  suffer  all  the  humiliations  it  was  in  his  power  to 


Lewey  and  1.  53 


inflict,  to  pay  for  the  jab  of  the  boat-hook,  and  nothing  seemed  to  move  his 
pity. 

"  I  have  not  offered  you  money,"  Captain  Fitch  now  said,  addressing 
Sanchos,  "for  the  reason  that  I  know  a  high-toned  and  honest  Mexican 
can  neither  be  bribed  nor  bought." 

A  groan  of  contempt  and  doubt  from  Lewey,  a  sniff  from  the  young  girl, 
and  a  toss  of  her  head,  as  though  she  knew  that  Captain  Fitch  was  stating 
what  he  did  not  believe,  just  for  the  purpose  of  accomplishing  his  ends. 

"  But,"  continued  the  captain,  still  speaking  to  Sanchos,  "  I  will  do  this 
much  on  my  own  account.  Let  the  boy  occupy  the  vacant  room,  and  I  will 
give  you  fifty  dollars  tomorrow  morning." 

"  No,  senor,  he  herds  with  the  Indians,"  was  the  firm  rejoinder;  but  this 
was  a  little  more  than  Don  Carlos  Sanchos  and  his  fellows  could  endure. 
They  had  come  to  San  Diego  to  make  money,  under  the  leadership  of 
Don  Antonio,  and  here  was  the  first  chance  they  had  seen  to  obtain  a  peso 
at  the  expense  of  the  residents.  They  did  not  like  it,  and  expressed  them- 
selves in  decided  terms  on  the  subject.  They  wanted  vengeance,  but  dol- 
lars more,  and  plenty  of  them,  and,  now  that  the  silver  stream  was  ready  to 
play,  and  lead  to  their  pockets,  the  chief  of  the  villains  seemed  determined 
to  turn  it  aside.  They  growled,  and  Sanchos  saw  that  he  had  made  a  mis- 
take. His  power  lay  in  the  hold  which  he  had  on  the  men.  He  wanted 
money,  yet  desired  revenge  much  more,  but  thought,  after  a  moment's 
hesitation,  that  he  could  obtain  both.  So  he  spoke  in  a  conciliatory  tone 
as  he  said,  — 

"  I  have  no  desire  to  offend  so  good  a  friend  to  California  as  Senor  Fitch. 
Let  him  give  us  the  fifty  dollars,  and  the  boy  can  remain  a  prisoner  in  the 
single  room.  Is  it  a  bargain?  Have  I  spoken  well?"  turning  to  his 
followers. 

"  It  is  bueno,"  was  the  unanimous  growl,  and  Lewey  once  more  squeezed 
the  girl's  hand,  and  she  looked  pleased  at  his  attentions,  and  even  smiled  on 
him.  He  had  a  handsome  face,  and  that  went  a  great  way  in  winning  her 
favor.  She  was  not  the  only  girl  who  had  been  captivated  by  his  good 
looks,  and  pursuasive  tongue,  for,  French  man -like,  he  could  make  love  even 
when  he  did  not  feel  it. 

"  The  money  shall  be  paid  tomorrow,"  Captain  Fitch  said,  in  reply  to 
Sanchos'  question.  "  Come  to  my  house  and  obtain  the  pesos  after  break- 
fast." 

I  could  only  thank  the  captain  for  his  consideration  and  kindness,  and 
then,  as  the  Indians  continued  to  howl  forth  their  complaints  and  fears, 


54  Lewey  and  I. 


the  jailor  gave  the  lamp  in  keeping  of  his  daughter,  took  the  end  of  a  stout 
lariat,  which  must  have  been  used  for  such  cruel  purposes,  rushed  into  the 
cell,  and  began  to  thrash  the  inmates  over  every  part  of  their  bodies  that 
was  most  convenient,  —  heads  or  haunches,  it  did  not  matter  much  to  the 
Mexican.  He  wanted  a  quiet  life,  and  was  determined  to  have  it,  unless 
his  strength  gave  out. 

The  Indians  dodged  from  side  to  side,  but  all  of  them  received  a  liberal 
allowance  of  blows,  and,  when  silence  was  at  length  commanded,  bleeding 
and  bruised,  the  miserable  brutes  retreated  to  a  corner,  glowered  at  the 
jailor,  and  were  told  to  keep  quiet  for  the  rest  of  the  night,  or  there  would 
be  another  raid  in  their  midst,  and  more  stripes. 

The  Mexicans  looked  on,  and  laughed  at  the  exhibition.  They  rather 
enjoyed  it,  for  they  had  no  pity  for  Indians,  or  any  one  else,  and,  when 
peace  was  restored,  and  Lewey  had  squeezed  the  girl  for  the  last  time,  prom- 
ising that  he  would  come  and  see  me  in  the  morning,  a  coarse  blanket 
was  thrown  into  my  cell  by  the  jailor,  a  pillow  of  straw  by  the  young  girl, 
the  door  was  locked  on  me,  and  I  was  left  to  my  own  reflections,  with  a 
pipe,  tobacco,  and  a  few  matches.  I  filled  the  pipe,  lighted  it,  curled  down 
on  the  blanket,  and  in  the  darkness  thought  of  my  desperate  situation,  and 
wondered  how  I  was  to  escape  from  it.  Again  did  I  reproach  myself  for 
leaving  the  ship,  and  casting  my  lot  amid  strangers,  but  all  through  the 
night,  when  I  was  awake,  I  did  not  utter  a  murmur  against  Lewey  who  had 
induced  me  to  do  so,  and  fell  asleep  at  last  in  defiance  of  the  fleas. 

When  I  awoke  it  was  sunrise,  the  Indians  were  quiet,  and  I  could  hear 
the  sweet  voice  of  the  jailor's  daughter,  as  she  moved  about  the  premises, 
singing  a  love  song,  and  probably  thinking  of  Lewey,  his  hand-squeezing 
and  tender  glances. 

No  one  came  to  me  until  nearly  seven  o'clock,  and  then  the  girl  unlocked 
the  door,  and  looked  into  my  prison. 

"  Caro  chico,"  I  said,  "  have  my  friends  been  here  to  see  me  this 
morning  ?  " 

"  Not  yet,  muchacho,"  she  answered.  "There  is  time  enough  for  'them, 
What  can  I  do  for  you  this  fine  day  ?  " 

"  Could  you  give  me  enough  water  to  wash  in,  and  some  to  drink  ? "  I 
asked. 

"  Yes  ;  but  if  I  should  bring  it  into  your  cell,  will  you  swear  by  the  holy 
saints  not  to  kiss  me  ?  " 

As  I  had  no  thought  of  such  an  outrage  the  question  set  me  to  thinking, 
and  I  resolved  to  be  firm,  and  promise  nothing  that  would  in  the  least  com- 


Lewey  and  I.  55 


promise  me.  Besides,  I  remembered  the  previous  evening's  work,  and 
how  Lewey  had  obtained  an  advantage  over  me,  because  I  was  a  prisoner, 
with  secured  hands,  and  he  was  free. 

"  Senorita,"  I  said,  "  the  saints  put  temptation  in  our  way  so  that  man- 
kind can  be  tested,  and  made  good  for  a  great  future.  Alas,  I  am  a  Protes- 
tant, and  a  heretic,  but  a  just  one,  so  must  not  disdain  the  nice  and  beauti- 
ful things  of  this  world.  Do  not  make  me  pledge  my  word,  as  I  fear  that  I 
shall  break  it  if  you  come  near  me,  sweetest  "of.  Mexican  girls." 

She  tossed  her  head  in  a  coquettish  manner,  and  smilingly  showed  her 
white,  even  teeth,  but,  as  she  did  so  managed  to  ask,  — 

"  At  least  you  will  promise  me  one  thing  if  I  enter  your  cell  with  the 
water  ?  " 

"  Name  it,  senorita,"  I  cried. 

"You  will  take  no  more  than  a  single  kiss.  Say  that  you  will  not,  and  I 
shall  enter  without  fear.  Ah,  if  you  were  as  nice  as  your  friend  I  should 
have  no  doubt.  He  is  so  honest  and  good." 

I  could  only  groan,  and  then  answered,  — 

"  I  will  not  lie,  even  to  a  beautiful  lady  like  yourself.  I  fear  that  the 
saints  would  never  forgive  me  for  such  a  crime.  I  will  promise  nothing." 

"  But  surely  two  kisses  will  content  you  ?  My  padre  has  gone  for  the 
breakfast,  and  will  not  be  back  for  half  an  hour.  If  he  should  return,  and 
find  me  being  kissed  by  a  heretic,  and  a  prisoner,  he  would  be  very  angry. 
Be  a  good  boy,  and  content  yourself  with  two,  or  at  the  most  three.  But  if 
you  are  quick,  and  do  not  dwell  too  long  upon  my  lips,  four.  I  am  firm  at  the 
last  number.  I  feel  sure  that  your  companion,  who  was  here  last  night,  is 
a  much  more  modest  boy  than  you,  and  not  nearly  as  greedy.  He  would 
be  contented  with  one,  and  think  himself  fortunate.  But  you —  I  do  rot 
know  what  to  make  of  you," 

"  Bring  the  water,  dulce,"  I  cried,  and,  before  she  could  turn  to  obey,  I 
had  slipped  my  arm  around  her  waist,  and  stobn  half  a  dozen  kisses.  Then 
she  broke  away  from  my  embrace,  and  pretended  the  indignation  she  did 
not  feel. 

"  I  am  ashamed  of  you,"  she  cried,  while  her  dark  eyes  sparkled  with  the 
fun  she  was  having,  and  her  bruno  cheeks  showed  the  warm  blood  as  it 
leaped  through  her  veins,  and  dyed  neck  and  shoulders  with  a  deep  crim- 
son. Then  she  ran  away,  as  if  in  anger. 

But  after  a  few  moments'  delay  she  returned  with  an  earthen  jug  of  water, 
a  calabash  to  wash  in,  a  towel,  such  as  it  was,  for  it  looked  as  if  cut  from  a 
second-hand  grain  bag,  and  a  cracked  cup  to  drink  from.  Then  she  left 


5  6  Lewey  and  I. 


me  alone  for  a  while,  to  make  my  toilet,  and,  even  before  I  had  completed 
it,  the  young  lady  came  to  my  room  to  shake  up  the  blankets,  and  to  tell 
me  that  coffee  would  be  served  in  a  little  while,  and,  if  I  wanted  anything 
more  substantial,  I  would  have  to  wait  until  Captain  Fitch  sent  food  from 
his  house,  for  her  breakfast  would  consist  of  tortillas  and  fruit,  and  she 
supposed  I  was  not  accustomed  to  such  slender  repasts, 

"If  you  will  let  me  drink  my  coffee  in  company  with  yourself  and  father  I 
should  not  care  for  much  else,"  I  whispered,  as  she  accidentally  passed 
near  me. 

"  Look  here,"  the  girl  cried,  as  she  suffered  my  arm  to  remain  around  her 
waist,  and  gazed  steadily  into  my  eyes,  "  I  am  afraid  that  you  are  a  bold, 
bad  young  man,  and  I  do  not  feel  safe  with  you  in  the  calabozo  all 
alone." 

"  You  forget  the  Indians,"  I  remarked.  "  There  are  three  of  them  in  the 
large  room." 

"  They  are  asleep,  and  the  door  is  locked,"  was  the  prompt  reply. 

"  There  is  no  fear.     Your  padre  will  soon  arrive,"  I  urged. 

"  Not  for  fifteen  minutes  as  yet,  and  if  I  should  scream  who  could  hear 
me  ?  The  saints  protect  me,  but  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  be  in  the  house  all 
alone  with  a  heretic,  a  man  who  does  not  believe  in  the  church,  the  holy 
Virgin,  and  a  candid  confession," 

"  You  can  lock  me  up  in  the  cell.  I  swear  to  you  that  I  will  not  resist  if 
you  are  disposed  to  do  so.  I  am  a  good  lad,  and  mean  no  harm  to  any 
one,"  I  asserted,  in  a  positive  manner,  for  I  did  not  know  but  that  she 
might  be  a  little  timid,  on  account  of  the  treatment  she  had  received,  and 
yet  I  had  kissed  her  but  six  times,  in  the  most  innocent  manner  possible. 

"  No,"  she  said,  in  a  determined  tone,  "  I  will  not  turn  the  key  on  you. 
I  think  you  bad,  but  I  remember  that  a  prisoner  is  always  entitled  to  pity, 
and  so  I  can  keep  you  at  arm's  length,  and  expend  some  of  my  sympathy  on 
your  unhappy  condition  at  the  same  time,  for,  do  you  know,  I  think  Don 
Sanchos  means  to  have  you  shot,  and,  if  you  should  be  killed,  I  declare  to 
the  saints  that  I  would  cry  my  eyes  out.  I  heard  the  miserable  tell  his 
companions  that  if  you  escaped  the  gallows  a  bullet  would  end  your  career. 
He  is  a  bad  man,  also,  but  ever  so  much  worse  than  you.  There  is  no  tell- 
ing how  quick  you  will  be  led  to  death,  and,  as  such  may  be  the  case  today 
or  tomorrow,  you  can  kiss  me  just  once  for  friendship's  sake." 

She  put  up  her  pretty  lips  for  the  kiss,  but  failed  to  rebuke  me  when  I 
captured  four  or  five.  I  could  not  stop  to  count  them. 

"Now  I  know  that  you  are  bad,"  the  jailor's  daughter  remarked,  but  she 


Lewey  and  I.  57 


did  not  make  an  effort  to  break  away  from  my  arms,  although  I  could  see 
that  she  had  one  ear  toward  the  door,  as  though  on  the  watch  for  the  foot- 
steps of  her  father.  "  Oh,  what  a  miserable  life  I  should  lead  if  you  were 
my  husband,"  the  girl  remarked  suddenly. 

This  was  coming  to  close  quarters,  and  getting  a  little  more  sympathetic 
than  I  bargained  for.  I  had  not  thought  of  the  little  girl  as  a  wife.  In  fact 
I  had  never  spoken  to  her  until  the  night  previous.  She  -seemed  disposed 
to  push  matters  to  a  crisis,  and  win  me  in  an  off-handed  manner,  if  it  was 
possible. 

"  Why  do  you  think  I  should  not  make  a  good  husband  ?  "  I  asked,  a  lit- 
tle nettled  at  the  insinuation. 

She  blushed  a  rosy  red,  and  held  down  her  head,  as  she  quietly 
answered, — 

"  Because  you  want  to  kiss  me  all  the  time,  and,  if  we  were  married  you 
might  pay  too  much  attention  to  other  girls  instead  of  your  wife,  whom  the 
blessed  saints  gave  you,  sanctioned  by  the  priest.  Oh,  I  am  afraid  when  I 
think  you  would  break  my  heart,  for  I  know  that  you  could  not  be  true. 
Men  never  are.  They  don't  care  to  kiss  their  loving  little  mates,  but  wo- 
men who  are  not  their  wives." 

It  seemed  to  me  that  the  girl  was  doing  the  wooing,  and  that  I  should 
find  myself  engaged  before  I  knew  it,  unless  I  was  very  cautious. 

"Americans,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  I  could  think  of  something  to  say, 
"  make  the  best  husbands  in  the  world.  They  are  constant,  always  true, 
and  loving.  It  is  rarely  they  flirt." 

"  Then,"  the  eager  girl  cried,  as  she  put  up  her  lips  to  be  kissed,  "  I  will 
marry  no  one  but  an  Amerigan,  and  you  are  one." 

This  was  a  little  more  than  I  had  expected,  and  I  did  not  know  how  I 
was  to  extricate  myself  from  the  difficult  position  in  which  I  found  myself 
placed,  for,  as  a  general  thing,  I  would  not  advise  prisoners  in  a  foreign 
country  to  make  an  enemy  of  the  jailor's  daughter,  if  it  is  possible  to  retain 
her  as  a  friend.  There  are  many  chances  for  her  to  make  your  lot  an  un- 
comfortable one  if  so  disposed.  All  this  I  knew,  so  did  not  feel  like  wound- 
ing the  girl's  self-respect,  or  her  maidenly  pride,  if  I  could  avoid  it.  But 
marriage  was  out  of  the  question,  for,  if  I  was  to  wed  any  one,  I  must  take 
little  Anita,  of  Ranch e  Refugio,  to  whom  I  had  pledged  my  heart  and  hand 
months  before.  But  the  young  lady  who  was  now  standing  by  my  side  did 
not  know  it,  and  I  was  well  satisfied  to  keep  her  in  ignorance  of  the  fact,  or 
until  I  left  my  prison  a  free  man,  or  was  removed  to  some  other.  While  I 
was  framing  some  masculine  story  in  my  mind,  so  as  to  keep  the  girl  good- 


58  Lewey  and  I. 


tempered  and  friendly,  I  heard  heavy  footsteps  on  the  street,  near  the 
calabozo. 

"  Go  in  your  cell,"  the  young  lady  whispered.  "  It  may  be  Don  Sanchos, 
and  if  he  should  see  you  free  would  not  like  it.  He  might  think  that  I  had 
allowed  you  to  make  love  to  me,  and  that  is  always  injurious  to  a  poor  girl's 
reputation." 

She  pushed  me  into  the  cell,  locked  the  door,  and  then  unfastened  the 
outer  one,  and  threw  it  open.  I  heard  a  person  enter  the  prison,  and  soon 
distinguished  the  sound  of  Don  Sanchos'  voice,  asking  in  gruff  tones  about 
the  manner  in  which  I  had  passed  the  night,  and  if  I  was  safely  confined  in 
the  calabozo. 

"  How  should  I  know  ?  "  answered  the  girl.  "  I  have  much  to  do  with- 
out attending  to  the  prisoners.  The  boy  may  escape  for  all  that  I  care.  I 
am  sure  that  he  will  give  us  enough  trouble  before  he  is  discharged. 
Here,  take  the  key,  and  look  in  at  him  if  you  want  to,  but  see  that  he  does 
not  rush  past  you,  and  go  clear." 

"  No  fear  of  that,"  was  the  confident  answer.  "  He  is  unarmed,  and  I 
have  my  knife,  and  can  cut  him  to  pieces  before  he  gains  the  door." 

This  was  good  news  for  me,  for  I  had  thought  for  a  moment  of  making  a 
bold  strike  for  liberty,  but  now  I  concluded  that  I  had  better  remain  where 
I  was,  and  take  no  risks. 

The  ruffian  took  the  key  from  the  girl's  hand,  unlocked  the  door,  and.  rs 
I  looked  up  from  my  reclining  position,  pretending  to  be  just  awakened,  I 
saw  the  evil  face  of  Sanchos,  and  in  his  right  hand  he  held  a  long  knife,  as 
if  prepared  to  use  it  in  case  I  threatened  violence. 

I  believe  that  the  scamp  would  have  rejoiced  had  I  shown  fight  just  at 
that  moment,  for  he  could  have  killed  me  easily,  but  I  remained  motionless, 
and  did  not  speak,  as  he  regarded  me  with  savage  joy  in  his  dark  eyes. 

"You  are  still  here,"  he  said. 

I  did  not  speak. 

"  Caramba !  am  I  an  oso,  that  I  should  not  be  spoken  to  ? "  was  the 
fierce  exclamation.  "  Dog  of  a  Yankee,  do  you  know  who  I  am  ?  " 

Still  no  answer  from  my  lips,  for  I  knew  that  if  I  spoke  I  should  say 
something  to  enrage  him  much  more  than  if  I  kept  silent. 

The  ruffian  took  one  step  into  the  cell,  and  Heaven  knows  what  his  in- 
tentions were.  He  might  have  thought  how  pleasant  it  would  be  to  drive 
his  long  knife  into  my  heart,  and  so  end  his  plan  for  revenge  at  once  and 
forever,  or  he  may  have  desired  to  test  me,  and  see  if  I  was  game  enough 
to  stand  his  wild  threats.  But,  before  Sanchos  could  further  insult  and 


Lewey  and  I.  59 


threaten  me,  the  old  jailor  returned,  and,  as  he  entered  the  room,  his  daugh- 
ter sprang  forward,  laid  her  hand  on  Sanchos'  shoulder,  and  pulled  him 
back. 

"  You  have  no  right  in  this  cell,"  she  said.  "  All  prisoners  must  be  in- 
terviewed in  the  presence  of  a  witness,  and  in  the  main  room.  My  father 
will  tell  you  that  such  is  the  law." 

Sanchos  allowed  himself  to  be  pushed  from  the  cell,  but  I  doubt  if  he 
would  have  moved  had  not  the  old  jailor  put  in  an  appearance,  and  sup- 
ported his  daughter's  position. 

The  door  of  my  prison  was  closed  and  locked,  but,  as  the  keyhole  was  as 
large  as  a  baby's  fist,  I  could  look  through  it,  and  see  all  that  was  going  on 
in  the  living-room  of  the  jail.  The  Mexican  held  a  whispered  conversation 
with  the  keeper,  and  pointed  in  my  direction  several  times,  as  though  to 
charge  upon  the  man  the  importance  of  being  vigilant,  and  seeing  that  I  did 
not  escape.  Then  he  took  his  departure,  and  the  girl  and  her  father  sat 
down  to  a  scanty  breakfast  of  coffee,  bread,  and  fruit. 

"  Hullo,"  I  shouted  through  the  keyhole.  "  Am  I  not  to  have  anything 
to  eat  this  morning  ?  Am  I  to  be  left  to  starve  while  you  feast  on  all  the 
luxuries  of  the  town  ?  " 

"Patience,"  said  the  old  man.  "Your  breakfast  is  to  come  from  the 
kitchen  of  the  Senor  Fitch.  The  cooks  of  his  house  were  up  late  last 
night,  and  the  lazy  ladrones  have  not  stirred  themselves  as  yet.  All  in 
good  time,  muchacho.  My  girl  here  will  not  let  you  suffer.  She  has  a 
warm  heart  for  all  good-looking  prisoners,  especially  when  they  are  white 
gringos." 

"Just  as  though  I  cared  for  the  enemies  of  Mexico,"  cried  the  girl,  with 
a  toss  of  her  head.  "  I  love  my  country,  and  not  those  who  seek  to  destroy 
it." 

This  I  thought  was  rather  refreshing,  considering  all  that  had  passed  be- 
tween us  since  the  girl  was  stirring,  but,  as  I  supposed  she  knew  her  own 
business  best,  did  not  not  think  it  prudent  to  cavil  at  her  words,  or  to  re- 
mind her  of  having  hinted  she  would  like  me  for  a  husband.  So  I  returned 
to  my  blankets  and  pipe,  and  wondered  at  the  duplicity  of  women,  especial- 
ly Mexican  women,  when  holding  confidential  relations  with  a  father,  and  a 
lover  hearing  all  that  was  said. 

The  old  jailor  finished  his  breakfast,  lighted  a  cigarette,  smoked  it  quite 
calmly,  and  with  a  certain  dignity,  then  unlocked  the  door  of  the  cell  where 
the  Indians  were  confined,  stirred  them  out  of  their  profound  slumbers, 
with  the  aid  of  a  piece  of  reata,  striking  to  the  right  and  left,  I  judged  by 


60  Lewey  and  I. 


the  sound  of  blows,  and  at  last  the  whole  gang  of  vagabonds  were  driven 
into  the  street,  and  from  thence  to  some  court,  where  the  alcalda,  I  presume, 
passed  sentence  on  the  lot,  for  they  did  not  return  to  the  calabozo,  so  the 
place  was  free  from  their  yells  and  stench  the  rest  of  the  day. 

The  young  lady  removed  the  few  dishes,  and  was  singing  a  little  for  her 
own  amusement,  and  provoking  me  to  wish  that  I  was  with  her,  when  I 
heard  a  well-known  bark,  and  into  the  room  bounded  Jack,  and  following 
him  was  Lewey,  but  he  did  not  have  in  his  hands  the  breakfast  that  I  stood 
so  much  in  need  of. 

"  You  here  ?  "  asked  the  girl,  as  Lewey  entered  the  room.  "  I  was  in 
hopes  that  I  should  never  again  see  you.  Look  at  my  hand.  Gracias  dios, 
but  last  night  I  thought  you  would  squeeze  it  all  out  of  shape,  and  the  po- 
brecita  muchacho,  the  sospechoso,  looking  at  us  all  the  time.  You  are  a 
maldito  hombre,  and  I  believe  you  to  be  bad,  very  bad." 

Confound  the  girl.  She  had  used  the  same  words  to  me.  Did  she  have 
a  regular  formula  for  all  the  young  men  she  flirted  with  ? 

"  Ah,  caro  mio,"  that  bad  friend  of  mine  exclaimed,  "  how  could  I  help 
pressing  the  smallest  and  most  delicate  hand  in  all  San  Diego  ? " 

And  then  the  impudent  lad  put  an  arm  around  her  well-developed  waist, 
bent  his  head,  and  kissed  her  lips  a  dozen  times  or  more,  before  he  stopped 
to  take  breath. 

This  was  a  little  more  than  I  could  endure.  It  was  bad  enough  to  be  a 
prisoner,  but  to  be  confined  in  a  cell,  and  peek  through  a  large  keyhole,  and 
see  your  best  friend  kissing  a  pretty  girl,  one  whom  you  thought  a  little 
spoony  on  yourself,  was  altogether  too  much.  I  kicked  at  the  door,  and 
yelled  like  one  of  the  drunken  Indians  the  night  before. 

"  Wretch,"  I  shouted  indignantly,  "  is  that  the  way  you  show  your  friend- 
ship ?  For  shame  !  Or  are  you  lost  to  all  sense  of  honor  ?  " 

Instead  of  replying,  and  desisting  from  his  detestable  exhibition,  the 
French  lad  simply  winked  one  of  his  blue  eyes  in  my  direction,  and  then  re- 
newed the  kissing,  and,  confound  the  girl,  she  seemed  to  like  it,  for  I  heard 
her  murmur  in  very  low  tones, — 

"  I  am  afraid  you  are  a  bad  man.  I  don't  believe  your  friend  would  be 
guilty  of  such  improprieties." 

Confound  the  little  coquette.  She  was  repeating  the  very  words  to 
Lewey  that  she  had  used  to  me  only  an  hour  before. 

"  Ah,  he  is  not  a  good  man  like  me,"  the  most  perfidious  of  friends  said. 
"  He  is  not  the  same  devoted  lover  I  would  be.  He  kisses  a  girl,  and  soon 
forgets  her.  I  never  forget  the  sweet  face  of  a  women  I  love,"  and  then 


Lewey  and  I.  61 


he  kissed  her  some  more,  and  the  sight  nearly  drove  me  frantic.  Once 
more  I  kicked  at  the  door,  and  yelled  out  a  strong  protest. 

"  Vile  son  of  France,"  I  cried,  "let  me  out  of  this  so  that  I  can  punch 
your  head.  Is  this  the  friendship  that  you  profess  for  me  ?  " 

I  spoke  in  English,  so  the  girl  did  not  understand  me,  but,  even  if  I  had 
addressed  her  in  the  native  tongue,  I  don't  believe  that  she  would  have  paid 
any  attention  to  me,  for  the  lady  only  clung  the  closer  to  Lewey,  and  man- 
aged to  lispy  — 

"  I  should  be  fearful  if  you  were  my  husband.  I  don't  believe  that  you 
would  be  true  and  constant.  You  might  flirt  with  other  women,  and  break 
my  heart." 

This  was  a  little  too  much  for  human  endurance.  I  wondered  how  many 
more  men  she  had  spoken  to  in  the  same  way,  and  with  the  like  tokens  of 
affection.  I  gave  the  heavy  oak  door,  studded  with  spike-heads,  a  desper- 
ate kick,  and  said,  in  a  tone  of  deep  contempt,  — 

"  Oh,  bah  !  don't  you  believe  a  word  she  says,  Lewey." 

"  I  'm  attendin'  to  dis  ding,"  was  the  consoling  reply.  "  You  attends  to 
your  business,  and  I  look  arter  mine.  You  keeps  cool,  and  goes  to  sleep, 
and  not  roar  like  von  calf  vot  is  hungry,"  and  then  the  wretch  took  another 
kiss,  and  squeezed  the  girl  a  little  more  energetically. 

"  I  am  one  of  those  men,"  said  the  scamp,  speaking  to  the  girl  in  Span- 
ish, "  that  loves  once  and  forever.  With  such  a  little  beauty  as  you  for  a 
wife  what  more  could  a  man  desire  ?  I  should  not  care  to  look  on  any  wo- 
man but  you,  to  kiss  no  one  but  you,  and  thus  we  could  go  through  life, 
hand  in  hand,  and  never  a  word  of  dissention  between  us." 

I  could  not  repress  a  groan  at  hearing  such  heartless  lying  from  a  young 
man  who  had  French  blood  in  his  veins,  and,  consequently,  thought  it  gal- 
lant and  becoming  to  make  love  to  every  pretty  face  that  crossed  his  path. 
He  was  so  different  from  me  that  I  wondered  why  he  had  not  learned  a 
more  correct  course  of  conduct. 

" O  you  wretch,"  I  cried  through  the  keyhole,  "stop  your  yarns  and  love- 
making.  You  make  me  sick  with  such  stupid  lies,"  while  the  young  girl 
seemed  to  place  full  confidence  in  all  he  said,  and  actually  put  up  her  lips  for 
an  extra  kiss,  as  a  reward  for  the  pretty  words  he  had  uttered. 

"Yes,"  she  said,  "  I  could  love  you  much  better  than  your  friend.  He  is 
so  cold  and  distant,  and  pays  no  attention  to  the  young  girls  that  he 
meets." 

This  was  good.  The  woman  was  as  big  a  story-teller  as  the  Frenchman. 
I  thought  the  pair  well  matched. 


62  Lewey  and  /. 


"  He  is  an  Americano,"  Lewey  said  in  a  tender  tone.  "  He  belongs  to  a 
country  dat  is  cold  as  its  religion.  The  Americanos  are  like  ice,  which 
you  never  saw,  and  can  form  no  idea  of.  Vhen  dey  talk  of  love  a  fire  is 
needed  to  heat  their  words  or  they  would  freeze.  But  a  Frenchman  is  as 
de  sun  at  noonday,  and  as  such  he  alvays  remains."  ' 

"  If  you  keep  on  that  way  much  longer  I  shall  need  no  breakfast,"  I 
exclaimed.  "  As  it  is,  I  'm  sick  at  my  stomach  hearing  such  trash  as  you 
utter.  Let  up  on  the  love-making  business,  and  get  me  out  so  that  I  can 
have  a  share." 

"  Mine  friend,"  asked  Lewey,  "  do  you  dink  I  'm  doing  all  dis  to  please 
mineself?" 

"  Well,  it  looks  confoundedly  like  it  as  far  as  I  can  judge,"  I  answered. 
"  At  least  you  might  have  the  decency  to  get  out  of  the  range  of  the  key- 
hole, so  that  I  cannot  see  all  that  is  going  on  before  me.  Now  I  under- 
stand the  value  of  your  friendship.  It  is  to  kiss  pretty  girls,  and  keep  me 
locked  up,  so  that  I  can't  have  a  show.  For  shame  on  you.  I  would  not 
treat  you  in  such  a  scurvy  manner." 

"  If  you  dinks  I  puts  mineself  to  all  dis  trouble  for  de  sake  of  de  fille  you 
is  mistaken  much,"  Lewey  said.  "  It  is  for  your  good  dat  I  does  all  dese 
mean  dings,"  and  then  he  kissed  the  girl  again,  because  she  expected  it, 
and  the  fellow  did  not  seem  to  shrink  from  the  task,  as  though  it  was  a 
disagreeable  one. 

"  How  is  kissing  the  girl  going  to  help  me  ?  "  I  asked. 

"You  vill  vait  and  see.  All  in  good  time.  I  does  much  for  mine  ami, 
and  I  gets  no  danks  for  it,  so  it  appears." 

Just  at  this  moment  two  peons  appeared  with  a  basket  that  contained  a 
pot  of  hot  coffee,  some  bread,  and  cold  meats,  all  sent  from  the  kitchen  of 
Captain  Fitch.  The  lovers  separated,  and  the  girl  took  the  key  of  my 
door,  and  unlocked  it,  and  then  Lewey  threw  his  arms  around  my  neck,  and 
embraced  me. 

"  I  vork  as  hard  as  ebber  I  can  for  you,"  he  said.  "  Ah,  vot  vould  not  I 
do  for  you  ?  " 

I  did  not  feel  good-natured,  so  failed  to  respond  to  his  greeting  as  readily 
as  I  might  have  done.  I  had  seen  too  much.  Besides,  the  girl  was  dis- 
tant and  cold,  and  seemed  like  a  different  person  from  the  one  I  had  joked 
with  in  the  morning.  She  treated  me  more  like  a  prisoner,  as  though  re- 
joiced to  show  her  power. 

"  Now  eat  your  breakfast,"  my  friend  said,  "and  den  ve  vill  smoke  our 
pipes,  and  talk  of  de  dings  dat  vill  interest  us.  You  is  in  a  bad  vay,  but  ve 


Lewey  and  I.  63 


hopes  for  de  best.  De  dog  of  a  Sanchos  is  a  vile  man,  and  vants  your  life, 
but  de  Cap'en  Fitch  send  a  courier  off  dis  bery  mornin',  and  he  vite  to  Gen- 
eral Castro,  and  de  alcalda  do  de  same.  But  drink  your  coffee,  and  not 
talk  all  de  time." 

I  had  not  spoken  a  word,  except  to  the  dog  Jack.  The  animal  was  so  de- 
lighted to  see  me  that  I  had  bestowed  more  attention  on  him  than  Lewey. 
However,  as  I  was  hungry,  and  the  breakfast  was  a  good  one,  I  soon  fin- 
ished it,  then  lighted  my  pipe,  and  prepared  for  a  long  talk. 

"  The  Americano  must  go  into  his  cell  again,"  the  girl  said,  as  soon  as 
the  peons  had  departed  with  the  basket  and  dishes.  "  It  is" against  the 
rules  of  the  prison  for  any  one  to  be  here,  except  the  keepers  and 
visitors." 

Lewey  winked,  and  whispered,  — 

"  Leave  her  to  me.  I  understand  vomen,  and  you  don't.  You  believes 
all  dat  dey  tells  you.  But  me,  bah  !  I  discounts  ninety  per  cent,  and  den 
makes  a  little  profit." 

He  turned  to  the  girl,  and  put  on  a  sweet  smile,  as  he  said,  — 

"  If  my  friend  must  go  into  de  cell,  I  shall  follow,  for  I  have  much  to  tell 
him.  Think,  caro  mio,  of  locking  us  both  up,  vhen  ve  can  be  more  com- 
fortable here,  and  we  swear  dat  no  effort  shall  be  made  to  escape." 

The  young  jailor  saw  that  there  was  no  chance  for  a  further  tete-a-tete 
with  Lewey,  and,  as  she  could  exchange  a  few  words  with  him  while  in  the 
reception-room,  but  none  if  locked  up,  readily  consented  to  break  the  rules, 
only  stipulating  that  if  any  one  should  come  to  the  door  I  could  run  to  my 
cell,  have  the  key  turned,  and  was  not  to  come  out  until  all  danger  was 
passed.  This  suited  us,  and  we  readily  agreed  to  it,  for  we  did  not  know 
when  Sanchos  would  again  drop  in  to  see  how  I  was  enjoying  my  imprison- 
ment. 

"  Now,"  said  Lewey,  after  our  pipes  were  lighted,  "  you  vill  understand 
vy  I  makes  love  to  de  girl." 

"  I  understand  nothing  of  the  kind,"  I  answered,  a  little  testily. 

"  Veil,  you  vill,  if  you  listens  to  me  in  patience,  and  not  scowl  like  a  pi- 
rate. In  de  fust  place,  you  is  here." 

"  Confound  you,  I  know  that  well  enough  without  being  told  of  it." 

"  Dat  is  right.  Dar  are  some  peoples  dat  has  to  be  told  many  times,  and 
den  dey  no  understand  much.  Now  out  of  dis  you  is  to  go,  and  dis  bery 
night." 

"  I  can  understand  all  that.  But  how  is  it  to  be  accomplished  ? "  I 
asked  eagerly. 


64  Lewey  and  L 


"  Ah,  here  comes  in  de  finesse  of  de  vise  man.  You  may  have  noticed 
dat  I  make  a  little  love  to  de  fille  ?  " 

An  indignant  puff  of  smoke  from  my  pipe  was  the  only  answer. 

"  Veil,  it  vas  all  for  you  dat  I  does  it.  She  now  dinks  dat  I  vants  to  mar- 
ry her.  I  let  her  dink  so  ebber  so  much,  but  I  is  no  fou.  I  is  a  French- 
man, and  knows  bery  veil  vot*  1  talks  about.  Tonight  dar  is  one  big  fandan- 
go in  de  town,  and  de  jailor  go  see  it,  and  dance.  All  de  old  men  do  dat, 
and  de  older  dey  am  de  more  dey  like  it,  if  dey  has  a  bonne  fille  to  squeeze 
for  de  partner.  He  no  hab  vife,  and  he  sure  to  go.  I  tell  de  daughter  to 
stay  at  home,  and  I  come  see  her,  and  court  her  much.  Den  I  promise  her 
eberyding  if  she  let  mine  friend  out,  and  she  vill.  I  knows  de  vomen,  and 
just  vot  dey  vill  do.  If  she  no  consent,  I  take  de  key,  and  unlock  de  door, 
and  avay  ve  goes." 

"  But  how  shall  we  get  away  from  the  town  ? "  I  asked. 

"  Nebber  you  minds.  I  take  cares  of  all  dat.  Vonce  out  of  dis  place, 
and  Sanchos  and  his  gang  no  lookin'  on,  I  find  de  vay  for  escape.  You 
leaves  all  to  me,  and  no  hint  to  de  s^irl  dat  I  am  not  a  good  boy,  and  means 
all  dat  I  says.  Ah,  mon  ami,  I  does  much  for  your  sake,  and  many  disa- 
greeable dings. 

"  Does  Captain  Fitch  know  of  your  designs  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Yes.  He  talk  vid  me  all  dis  mornin'  on  de  subject,  and  he  laugh  and 
approve.  Nice  man  dat,  and  see  great  vay  ahead." 

"  But  where  are  we  to  go  if  I  make  my  escape  ?  "  I  questioned. 

"  To  de  hide-house." 

"  Why,  that  is  the  very  place  they  would  seek  for  us,"  I  remonstrated. 

"  Yes,  I  know,  and  Captain  Fitch  know,"  was  the  confident  answer. 
"But  in  dat  hide-house  Sanchos  and  his  men  no  dare  to  come  if  ve  say 
stand  off." 

"  And  Scotch  Jack,  what  will  he  have  to  offer  on  the  subject  ?  "  I  asked, 
for  it  was  important  that  the'master  of  the  hide-house  should  be  with  us,  and 
help  protect  us. 

"  He  all  right.  Dis  mornin'  he  vake  up  all  sober,  and  den  ve  gives  him 
one  big  drink  of  aguardiente,  and  tell  him  to  go  to  de  beach,  and  get  all 
ready  for  us  tonight,  and  he  swear  dat  he  vill  blow  de  head  off  de  greaser 
dat  comes  near  him.  De  government  is  bound  by  de  treaty,  you  know,  to 
protect  de  property  of  all  foreigners  in  case  of  var,  and  dar  is  vhere  ve  vill 
hab  'em." 

"  Is  that  true  ?  or  is  it  a  bit  of  imagination  on  your  part,  Lewey  ?  " 

"  Captain  Fitch  say  dat,  and  not  me.    He  know  eberyding,  so  I  s'pose  it 


Lewey  and  /.  65 


is  true.  But  dar  is  one  ding  more,  De  alcalda  say  ve  must  be  matricula- 
dored  if  ve  stay  here  in  de  country,  and  dat  he  has  sent  vord  to  General 
Castro  dat  ve  has  announced  our  determination  to  become  citizens  of  de 
State.  Dat  is  bad,  but  one  oath  dat  you  no  intend  to  keep  much  no  hurt 
any  one,  much  less  you  and  me.  Ve  forget  him  in  a  little  vhile,  if  ve  vants 
to." 

'•What  does  Captain  Fitch  advise  on  the  subject  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  He  vink  one  eye,  and  say  it  is  good  for  us ;  much  better  dan  bein'  shot 
as  a  spy  by  de  rascal  Sanchos,  and  his  men.  De  alcalda  come  here  dis 
arternoon,  and  make  you  take  de  oath,  and  sign  de  paper.  Only  dink,  in  a 
little  vile  ve  can  be  full-grown  greasers.  Yes,  ve  must  take  de  swear,  and 
do  de  best  ve  can." 

"  The  oath  you  mean,  Lewey." 

"  Veil,  it  is  de  same  ding,  I  s'pose.  I  swear  all  de  day  if  dey  vant  me. 
Alvays  do,  mine  friend,  as  de  party  vot  is  strongest  vants  you  to,  and  den 
you  vill  hab  no  trouble." 

I  thought  the  matter  over  for  a  while,  and  at  last  concluded  to  be  regis- 
tered, as  the  preliminary  for  full  citizenship,  which  could  be  accomplished 
in  the  course  of  time  if  we  were  persistent  in  our  demands  for  the  precious 
boon. 

At  the  same  time  there  was  one  advantage  in  being  matriculadored.  We 
could  exhibit  our  certificates  in  any  part  of  California,  and  take  up  a  section 
of  land,  five  miles  square,  if  we  desired  as  much,  and  settle  on  it,  and,  after 
the  lapse  of  time,  receive  a  clear  title  from  the  Mexican  government.  The 
only  stipulations  made  were  the  usual  ones,  —  actual  settlement  on  the 
property,  and  the  raising  of  grain  and  cattle.  California,  at  the  time,  was 
the  most  liberal  country  in  its  grants  to  foreigners  that  the  sun  ever  shone 
on,  and  the  acres  given  away  were  the  best  in  the  world,  near  lar<;e  rivers, 
like  the  Sacramento  or  the  American,  with  tablelands  that  extended  for 
miles  in  all  directions,  and  with  not  a  stone  on  thousands  of  rods  that  was 
as  large  as  a  filbert.  The  soil  was  a  dark  loam,  that  extended  downward 
for  many  feet,  and  the  only  disagreeable  feature  was  the  occasional  over- 
flow in  the  rainy  season.  But  there  were  higher  lands,  just  as  good,  and 
not  subject  to  inundations,  and  those  were  usually  selected,  but  the  United 
States  government  made  short  labor  with  some  of  the  claims,  when  the 
American  Commission  got  to  work  on  titles,  and  the  just  had  to  surfer  with 
the  unjust.  Old  families  were  ruined,  for  they  had  not  always  taken  out 
deeds  in  a  proper  form,  hardly  thinking  it  worth  their  trouble,  as  land  was 
of  no  value  before  annexation  to  the  United  States.  Then  the  speculators 


66  Lewey  and  L 


hungered  fcv  farms  which  did  not  belong  to  them,  and  they  scooped  in  all 
that  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  and  proved  by  forgery  and  perjury  that 
they  possessed  old  Mexican  grants,  and  sometimes  the  commissions  passed 
them. 

All  of  these  things,  or,  rather,  the  advantages,  passed  through  my  mind, 
and  I  said  that  I  would  matriculador,  or  sign  what  the  alcalda  required.  I 
had  hardly  given  my  consent,  when  we  heard  some  one  at  the  door,  and  I 
darted  into  my  cell,  and  the  girl  locked  me  up,  and  then  gave  Lewey  a  kiss 
before  she  admitted  the  new-comer,  who  was  no  less  a  person  than  the  al- 
calda, accompanied  by  Don  Sanchos,  the  latter  to  see  that  I  took  the  oath 
of  allegiance  in  proper  form,  and  signed  my  name  to  the  same. 

Lewey  exchanged  a  few  words  with  the  new-comers,  and  then  the  official 
ordered  the  young  girl  to  unlock  my  cell,  and  conduct  me  to  his  presence. 
Sanchos  scowled  at  me  as  I  entered  the  room,  and  looked  the  disappoint- 
ment that  he  appeared  to  feel,  for  he  had  not  supposed  I  would  take  the 
steps  I  did  to  secure  myself  from  his  persecution.  To  be  sure,  he  could 
keep  me  imprisoned  until  General  Castro  was  heard  from,  but  he  had  no 
power  to  have  me  shot  or  hanged,  without  a  formal  trial,  and  that  he  was 
not  disposed  to  do,  as  he  knew  nothing  could  be  proved  against  me,  and  his 
charge  of  my  being  a  spy  must  fall  to  the  ground. 

"  Well,  muchacho,"  the  alcalda  said,  "  I  understand  that  you  desire  to 
matriculador.  The  Senor  Fitch  thinks  you  had  better  do  so,  and  I  can  see 
no  objections." 

"  Let  him  understand  one  thing,"  interrupted  Sanchos,  with  an  evil 
glance.  "  If  he  registers  he  will  be  liable  to  military  duty,  and  have  to 
serve  with  the  Mexican  army  if  called  upon,  or  be  treated  as  a  traitor  to  the 
State." 

"  Will  I  have  to  act  against  the  forces  of  my  own  country  ?  "  I  asked,  a 
little  staggered  by  the  information. 

"Yes,  just  as  freely  as  a  Mexican-born  citizen,"  was  the  alcalda's 
answer. 

"Vot  care  you?"  whispered  Lewey,  in  English  "You  no  shoot  veil 
enough  to  harm  any  one.  Me  !  Oh,  I  swear  to  anyding  ven  it  suits  me  to 
do.  Let  us  get  out  of  dis,  and  trust  to  de  good  luck  for  de  next  time.  You 
hear  me  make  de  love  to  de  girl,  and  dell  her  strange  dings  ?  Veil,  dat  is 
vorse  much  dan  takin'  one  stupid  oath,  vot  no  one  cares  for." 

"What  are  you  saying?"  asked  Sanchos,  speaking  to  the  free-thinking 
French  boy,  suspicious  of  words  which  he  could  not  understand. 

"  I  tell  him  dat  I  vill  take  de  oath  at  de  same  time,"  was  the  prompt  an- 


Lewey  and  /.  67 


swer.    "  Vot  care  I  ?    A  Mexican  is  as  brave  and  good  as  a  Frenchman  or 
Yankee  any  time." 

Sanchos  was  not  quite  satisfied  with  the  explanation,  but  he  grunted  his 
approval  of  the  sentiment,  while  the  alcalda  smiled,  as  if  he  could  testify  in 
any  court  of  justice  that  the  words  were  correct,  and  such  as  would  meet 
with  approval  in  any  part  of  the  world. 

"  I  will  take  the  oath,"  J  said,  but  resolved  to  make  a  mental  reservation 
that  none  of  my  people  should  be  injured  by  the  course  which  I  was  obliged 
to  pursue  to  save  my  life. 

The  alcalda  produced  his  papers,  and  then  Lewey  and  I  raised  our  right 
hands,  swore  that  we  would  bear  allegiance  to  Mexico,  and  do  all  that  we 
could  to  confound  her  enemies. 

"  Now  sign  the  papers,  and  the  deed  is  done,"  the  official  said. 

The  jailor's  daughter  produced  pen  and  ink,  after  some  little  trouble, 
showing  that  they  were  seldom  used  at  the  calabozo  to  record  the  titles  of 
committed  or  discharged  prisoners,  and  then  the  alcalda  arose,  and  held 
out  his  hand  to  the  new  candidates  for  citizenship,  or  as  soon  as  we  had 
signed  our  names  to  the  document  he  did  so. 

"May  you  defend  the  honor  of  Mexico  as  readily  as  you  would  that  of 
the  countries  to  which  you  formerly  belonged,"  the  official  said,  and  we 
shook  hands  on  it,  but  did  not  do  so  with  much  gusto.  Lewey  looked  upon 
the  whole  matter  as  a  good  joke,  and  even  smiled  and  winked  at  the  girl, 
when  he  thought  no  one  was  watching  him. 

"  Have  you  concluded,  Senor  Alcalda  ? "  asked  Sanchos,  as  soon  as  the 
official  had  finished  his  pretty  little  speech. 

"  Yes,  senor,"  with  a  wave  of  his  thin,  dark  hand. 

"  Then  let  me  say  a  few  words,  for  they  are  important,"  and  the  scoundrel 
laughed  in  my  face,  and  then  caressed  the  scar  on  the  back  of  his  hand, 
with  a  zeal  that  was  full  of  meaning.  "  The  boys  have  announced  their  in- 
tention of  becoming  citizens  of  Mexico.  They  have  signed  matriculadors. 
They  are  now  registered  under  the  laws  of  the  State  and  country." 

"Yes,  certainly,  senor.  But  what  then?"  demanded ^the  alcalda,  look- 
ing the  surprise  he  felt. 

"  Only  this,  Senor  Alcalda.  Read  one  more  paper  that  I  had  the  honor 
to  receive  from  the  hands  of  General  Castro  and  Pio  Pico,  I  did  not  deem 
it  prudent  to  present  it  last  night,  when  I  gave  you  the  others,  for  certain 
reasons  best  known  to  myself.  I  suspected  just  what  has  taken  place,  and 
wished  for  the  result." 

The  alcalda  opened  the  document,  and  from  it  we  learned  that  the  trusty 


68  Lewey  and  I. 


and  beloved  Don  Antonio  Sanchos  was  empowered  to  raise,  impress,  and 
gather  together  all  the  able-bodied  Mexicans  he  might  deem  proper  to  se- 
lect, enroll  them  in  the  army,  and  forward  them  to  Monterey  as  soon  as 
possible,  to  act  against  the  treacherous  los  Americanos. 

This  was  a  stunner.  We  saw  the  trap  into  which  we  had  fallen,  but  it 
was  too  late  for  retreat.  The  fellow  had  drawn  us  along  for  his  own  pur- 
poses, and  now  we  were  in  his  power  more  than  ever,  for  the  State  was  un- 
der martial  law,  and  Sanchos  was  its  representative  in  San  Diego,  all  civil 
courts  being  set  aside  for  the  time  being. 

"  You  would  not  take  the  boys  away  from  this  place,  would  you  ? "  the 
alcalda  asked,  as  he  returned  the  paper  to  its  owner. 

"Is  this  document  correct?"  Sanchos  cried,  not  heeding  the  question, 
and  tapping  the  paper  with  the  fingers  of  his  maimed  hand. 

"It  is,"  was  the  quiet  answer. 

"  And  you  acknowledge  the  power  that  it  gives  me  ? "  the  scoundrel 
demanded. 

"  Yes,  senor.  I  dare  throw  no  impediments  in  your  course.  You  are  su- 
preme here,  under  martial  law.  I  must  obey,  or  resign  my  office,"  the 
alcalda  said. 

"  That  you  will  not  do,  for  I  forbid  it,  and,  if  you  should  persist,  I  will 
arrest  you  as  an  enemy  of  the  State,  and  forward  you  to  Monterey  for  trial. 
Better  be  with  me  than  against  me." 

The  official  was  silent.  He  saw  that  he  had  an  unscrupulous  villain  to 
deal  with,  and  desired  to  save  his  own  life,  and  that  of  his  friends.  Be- 
sides, the  alcalda  was  a  rich  man,  and  knew  what  it  was  to  be  squeezed  by 
the  leading  men  of  his  State.  He  did  not  desire  to  lose  anything  he  held 
most  dear  just  for  the  sake  of  two  gringo  boys.  He  would  have  helped  us 
if  he  could  without  danger  to  himself,  just  because  he  was  naturally  kind- 
hearted,  and  desired  to  oblige  Captain  Fitch,  who  really  had  an  interest  in  us. 

At  this  instant  the  old  jailor  returned  to  his  charge,  having  been  gossip- 
ping  all  the  morning  with  the  neighbors,  and  to  him  the  military  agent  ad- 
dressed himself. 

"  Lock  these  boys  up,  and  see  that  they  do  not  escape.  I  shall  hold  you 
responsible  for  their  safe  keeping,"  Sanchos  said,  pointing  to  Lewey  and 
myself. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  imprison  me  ? "  the  French  lad  asked,  a  little  anxious 
for  the  first  time  during  the  day. 

"  Yes.  You  and  your  friend  are  conscripted  for  the  Mexican  army.  In 
a  few  days  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  forwarding  you  to  headquarters,  at 


Lewey  and  I.  69 


Monterey,  in  company  with  such  others  as  I  shall  select.  My  brother  Car- 
los will  have  charge  of  the  squad,  and  he  is  not  a  person  to  be  trifled  with. 
Lock  the  lads  up." 

"You  are  the  meanest,  blankest  cur  in  all  California,"  Lewey  cried,  in  a 
paroxysm  of  rage,  speaking  in  Spanish,  but  the  Mexican  only  smiled,  and 
rubbed  his  scarred  hand. 

"  Did  you  think  that  you  were  to  escape  all  revenge  for  the  injury  you  in- 
flicted upon  me  at  San  Francisco  ?  "  asked  Sanchos.  "  Do  you  remember 
how  you  pulled  my  hair,  and  banged  my  head,  in  the  boat? " 

"  Yes,  and  I  wish  that  I  had  been  ten  times  more  rude,"  was  the  frank 
exclamation  of  the  French  lad.  "  We  let  you  off  too  easily  that  time.  If 
we  have  another  chance  you  shall  not  escape  so  lightly." 

"  Do  you  threaten  me,  you  French  dog  ? "  asked  Sanchos,  and,  as  he 
spoke,  raised  his  hand,  and  aimed  a  blow  at  the  flushed  face  of  my  friend, 
but  Lewey  dodged,  and  countered  on  the  dark  visage  of  the  Mexican,  and 
then  blood  flowed  from  his  nose  in  large  drops,  and  the  fellow  reeled,  and 
would  have  fallen  had  he  not  caught  at  the  table  for  support. 

But  in  an  instant  the  Mexican  had  recovered  himself.  He  reached  for 
the  long  knife  that  he  carried  in  the  legging  of  his  right  leg,  drew  it,  and 
would  have  stabbed  my  friend  to  the  heart  if  the  young  girl  had  not  sprang 
forward.  She  knew  what  her  countryman  was  capable  of,  and,  as  she 
threw  her  arms  around  his  form,  so  that  he  could  not  use  his  hands,  she 
shrieked  to  her  father,  — 

"  For  the  love  of  God  lock  the  muchacho  in  his  cell,  and  put  the  key  in 
your  pocket.  If  you  do  not  there  will  be  murder  committed  here." 

The  father  understood  the  situation,  and  so  did  the  alcalda  and  myself. 
We  all  seized  the  struggling,  wild,  maddened  Frenchman,  and  dragged  him 
to  the  cell,  and  then  the  jailor  turned  the  great  key,  and  we  were  safe  for 
the  time  being,  but  could  hear  Sanchos  uttering  fearful  oaths  of  what  he 
would  do  to  us  when  the  proper  time  arrived,  and  thus  cursing  left  the  cala- 
bozo  to  consult  with  his  associates. 

"  He  is  a  big  coward,"  Lewey  said,  as  the  fellow  left  the  prison,  in  com- 
pany with  the  alcalda.  "  I  could  vip  him  vid  one  hand,  if  he  no  use  de 
knife.  You  know  it  vas  his  brudder  Carlos  dat  fire  at  us  last  night,  vile  ve 
is  on  de  vay  to  San  Diego.  I  hear  'em  talk  it  ober,  and  dat  Sanchos  scold 
'cos  he  no  shoot  better.  Dey  is  a  bad  lot,  and  it  vould  hab  been  much  bet- 
ter if  ve  had  stuck  to  de  old  ship,  and  let  de  girls  go  to  dunder." 

I  thought  so  also,  yet  did  not  express  my  sentiments  in  the  same 
manner. 


70  Lewey  and  I. 


"  But  you  trust  to  me,"  the  confident  Lewey  exclaimed.  "  I  do  much  for 
you.  I  eben  make  love  to  de  girl,  and  you  see  how  I  succeed  ven  I  com- 
mences. Oh,  yes,  I  throws  mineself  avay  for  you,"  and  the  boy  sighed, 
then  lighted  his  pipe,  and  we  had  a  good  smoke,  and  went  to  sleep  for  an 
hour  or  two. 

During  the  afternoon  Captain  Fitch  called  to  see  us,  and  advised  us  to 
be  patient,  for  he  had  great  hopes  of  buying  our  discharge  from  military 
service,  and,  when  Lewey  hinted  to  him  that  we  intended  to  effect  our  es- 
cape that  very  night,  and  make  the  best  of  our  way  to  the  hide-house,  he 
did  not  offer  any  objections,  except  to  say  that  he  could  not  furnish  us  with 
horses,  as  such  an  act  would  be  equivalent  to  bringing  down  the  wrath  of 
Sanchos  and  his  gang  on  his  head.  We  would  have  to  travel  on  foot,  and 
then  he  recommended  that  we  get  on  board  an  American  vessel,  and  leave 
the  coast  as  soon  as  possible.  He  would  forward  our  money  to  any  point 
we  might  designate,  or  give  it  to  us  in  doubloons  at  the  hide-house,  pro- 
vided we  succeeded  in  reaching  the  place  in  safety. 

This  we  agreed  to,  and  then  the  gentleman  promised  us  some  dinner  at 
five  o'clock,  and  left  us.  He  sent  the  food,  as  agreed  upon,  and,  after  he 
had  partaken  of  all  we  wanted,  we  lighted  our  pipes,  and  waited  for 
darkness. 

We  could  hear  the  old  jailor  dressing  for  the  fandango,  and  urging  his 
daughter  to  go  with  him,  but  she  complained  of  a  dolor  de  cabeza,  and  so 
excused  herself.  Then,  with  directions  to  keep  an  eye  on  the  prisoners, 
the  old  fellow  ambled  off,  and  the  young  girl  commenced  singing,  to  show 
that  she  had  her  own  thoughts  for  company,  and  did  not  desire  anything 
better. 

"  Now,  mine  ami,  you  shall  see  de  sacrifices  dat  I  makes  for  you,"  and, 
putting  his  mouth  to  the  keyhole,  Lewey  commenced  sighing  forth  the  most 
ardent  protestations  of  love  that  the  young  girl  had  ever  listened  to  in  her 
short  and  uneventful  existence,  and,  confound  the  fellow,  he  put  so  much 
life  in  his  prayers  that  I  believe  he  rather  liked  it,  and  thought  it  not  such 
disagreeable  work  as  he  pretended. 


CHAPTER  III. 

LEWEY  MAKES  LOVE,  AND  QUITE  SUCCESSFULLY. — DON  SANCHOS  PAYS 
US  A  VISIT,  AND  IS  CAUGHT  IN  A  TRAP.— A  GALLANT  FIGHT  IN 
WHICH  OUR  DOG  TAKES  PART.  —  ESCAPE  FROM  THE  CALABOZO.  —  A 
VISIT  TO  THE  HIDE-HOUSE  BY  THE  MEXICANS.  —  AN  ATTACK,  AND  A 
DEFEAT. —  THE  SOIREE  WHICH  JACK  GAVE.  —  INDIGNANT  SAILORS 
AND  KANAKAS.  —  THE  FIRE.  —  A  RETROSPECTION. 

'  A  /IT  little  darling,"  sighed  Lewey  through  the  keyhole,  "  does  she  hear 
*•»*  me  ?  does  she  still  think  of  the  young  sailor  who  loved  her  from 
the  first  time  he  let  his  eyes  fall  upon  her  beautiful  face  ? " 

Then  the  lad  turned  to  me,  and  said,  — 

"  All  dis  I  does  for  your  sake.  It  is  no  pleasure  for  me  to  lie  so  to  any 
voman." 

"  Go  on,"  I  remarked.  "  Lying  comes  to  you  so  naturally  that  there  is 
no  fear  of  your  injuring  yourself  in  my  estimation.  Say  anything  that  you 
please.  Perhaps  the  girl  can  be  induced  to  believe  you.  But  I  do  not  see 
how  it  is  to  benefit  us." 

"You  vait  and  see,  mine  friend.  Dat  girl  vill  let  us  out  of  dis  place,  or 
know  nothin'  I  of  de  female  heart." 

Once  more  he  whispered  through  the  keyhole,  and  said,  — 

"  Caro  chico,  are  you  listening  to  me  ?  " 

**  Yes,"  she  answered.  "  I  hear  all  that  you  say,  but  no  words  that  you 
utter  can  induce  me  to  unlock  the  door  of  your  cell.  My  father  has  forbid- 
den it." 

"  Ah,  beautiful  one,  what  is  a  father  to  a  devoted  lover  ?  I  burn  to  once 
more  kiss  your  hand,  to  smooth  the  tresses  of  your  luxuriant  hair,  to  look 
into  your  eyes,  so  black  and  brilliant,  to  feel  your  sweet  breath  on  my  face," 
and  then  Lewey  turned  to  me,  and  asked  in  a  low  tone,  — 


Lewey  and  I. 


"  How  is  dat  for  puttin'  on  de  tenderness  ?  " 

"  You  are  doing  nicely,"  I  rejoined ;  "  but  think  of  your  soul." 

"  Nebber  mind  de  soul  now.  It  am  de  bodies  dat  I  am  dinkin'  of  most,:> 
and  once  more  Lewey  turned  his  attention  to  the  girl,  who  still  hovered 
near  the  door,  as  though  there  was  a  certain  fascination  in  its  vicinity. 

"  I  thought  that  I  should  never  marry,"  Lewey  continued,  still  speaking 
in  Spanish,  and  whispering  through  the  keyhole,  "  but  now  I  have  changed 
my  mind,  and  I  can  never  be  happy  unless  in  your  presence.  Ah,  dulce,  if 
you  would  but  unlock  the  door  so  that  I  could  be  with  you  for  a 
moment." 

"  I  dare  not,"  the  girl  replied. 

"  What  do  you  fear,  O  best  of  women  ?  "  was  the  next  question.  "  I  love 
you.  My  friend  is  asleep,  and  hears  me  not.  He  knows  nothing  of  the 
words  I  am  addressing  you.  Let  me  press  your  hand  but  for  a  moment,  and 
then  I  shall  sleep  in  peace.  Your  heart  is  not  like  stone  to  withstand  my 
prayers." 

"  If  I  should  let  you  out  will  you  return  to  the  cell  when  I  bid  you  do 
so?"  the  girl  asked,  and  I  knew  that  the  smooth-tongued  hypocrite  was 
about  to  conquer,  for  1  heard  the  girl  remove  the  key  of  the  cell  from  its 
accustomed  place. 

"  I  promise  everything  to  one  so  beautiful  as  you,"  was  the  response. 
"  Only  let  me  remain  in  your  presence  as  long  as  possible,  for  all  is  dark 
and  dreary  when  absent  from  your  side." 

"  Of  all  the  liars  that  1  ever  heard  you  are  the  worst,"  I  managed  to  whis- 
per, as  the  key  was  put  into  the  lock  by  the  deluded  girl. 

"  You  shut  up,  and  pretend  to  snore,  for  no  girl  like  love  to  her  be  made 
if  annuder  one  listen  to  de  pretty  talk,"  my  friend  remarked,  and,  agreeable 
to  his  advice,  I  gave  vent  to  some  unmusical-like  sounds  as  the  door  was 
thrown  open. 

"  Come  out,  kiss  me  just  once,  and  then  return  to  the  cell,"  the  girl 
whispered. 

There  was  no  second  invitation  needed.  Lewey  rushed  to  her,  enfolded 
the  lady  in  his  arms,  then  I  heard  some  vigorous  salutes,  and  but  few  strug- 
gles to  prevent  them. 

"  Hush,"  cried  the  girl.  "  Your  companion  will  awaken,  and  what  will 
he  think?" 

"  He  sleeps,"  answered  the  boy.  "He  is  a  cold-blooded  American,  and 
cares  nothing  for  the  beautiful  girls  of  your  nation.  Do  not  fear.  All  the 
kissing  in  the  world  would  not  awaken  him." 


Lewey  and  T. 


"  Still,  I  thought  him  very  nice  this  forenoon.  He  is  not  bold  and  for- 
ward  like  you.  I  think  he  would  marry  me  if  he  had  the  chance,"  I  heard 
the  girl  say,  as  soon  as  she  could  recover  her  breath. 

"  Why  should  you  desire  to  marry  a  man  like  him,  when  you  can  obtain 
me?  "  was  the  next  question  Lewey  asked,  showing  the  conceit  of  the  boy. 
I  wanted  to  get  up  and  kick  him,  I  felt  so  indignant. 

"  Perhaps  you  would  not  desire  me  as  a  wife  if  you  knew  me  better,"  the 
girl  remarked,  in  a  coquettish  tone,  and,  I  supposed,  toss  of  her  head. 

"  Can  you  doubt  me  ?  I  am  a  Frenchman,  and  a  son  of  France  never  de 
ceives  the  fair  sex." 

"  But  when  should  you  want  to  marry  ? "  asked  the  girl,  who  was  a  prac- 
tical young  lady,  and  desired  some  tangible  pledge  before  she  was  ready  to 
believe  all  that  was  poured  into  her  willing  ears. 

"  Just  as  soon  as  you  please,"  was  the  prompt  answer,  and  a  kiss  that 
made  me  gasp  with  envy. 

"  Would  next  w~ek  be  too  soon  ?  "  the  lady  asked. 

For  a  moment  there  was  an  ominous  pause,  as  though  even  the  impul- 
sive Lewey  was  a  little  daunted  at  the  shortness  of  time  that  was  allowed 
him  to  make  his  peace  with  the  world,  and  a  father  confessor. 

"  You  hesitate,"  the  girl  said.     "  You  do  not  love  me." 

"  If  I  did  not  answer  it  was  because  I  regretted  you  should  make  the 
time  so  long  before  my  happiness  arrived.  A  whole  week  must  I  wait  for 
you,  dulce.  Ah,  why  do  you  act  thus  coldly  toward  me  ?  " 

"  Then  we  will  say  in  four  days,"  and  the  girl  was  rewarded  with  a  kiss 
for  her  compliance  to  the  French  lad's  pleadings. 

"  Now  that  all  is  settled  you  must  do  me  a  favor,"  Lewey  said,  after  a  lit- 
tle exchange  of  billing  and  cooing. 

Then  I  knew  that  the  crisis  had  arrived,  and  I  paid  much  attention  to 
what  followed. 

"Whatever  you  ask  of  me  shall  be  granted,  if  it  is  right  and  proper,"  the 
prudent  girl  remarked. 

"  Do  you  think  that  I  would  demand  anything  not  just  and  correct?"  in 
a  reproachful  tone.  "  No,  I  am  a  Frenchman,  and  honorable,  like  all  of 
my  countrymen.  We  die  for  those  we  adore." 

I  could  not  repress  a  groan.  This  was  a  little  too  much  for  a  listener, 
one  who  knew  Lewey  as  well  as  I  did.  My  stomach  almost  revolted  at  the 
nonsense  he  was  pouring  into  that  girl's  ears.  They  both  heard  my  excla- 
mation, and  the  lady  whispered,  — 

"  Your  friend  has  awakened.     Do  not  speak  so  loud." 


74  Lewey  and  /. 


"  Do  not  fear  him,"  the  lad  cried.  "  He  is  always  a  sound  sleeper.  I 
have  known  him  to  slumber  during  the  most  terrible  gales.  Nothing  would 
awaken  him  but  a  call  for  breakfast  or  dinner.  When  food  was  ready  the 
slightest  whisper  was  enough  to  bring  him  to  his  feet.': 

I  determined  to  quarrel  with  Lewey  if  I  ever  got  out  of  prison,  But  I 
would  not  punish  him  as  he  deserved,  simply  let  his  conscience  do  that, 
provided  he  had  such  a  thing,  and  I  really  began  to  doubt  it  more  than 
ever. 

"  Now,"  said  Lewey,  "  as  we  are  to  be  married  you  must  let  my  friend 
escape  from  the  prison.  Take  that  big  key  from  your  pocket,  and  open  the 
outer  door." 

"  Gracias  dios !  but  I  dare  not  do  that,"  was  the  reply.  "  My  father 
would  kill  me  for  violating  my  trust." 

"  Listen  to  me,  caro  dulce,"  pleaded  the  boy.  "  We  must  both  escape 
tonight  or  we  shall  soon  be  separated  forever.  Did  you  not  hear  Don  San- 
chos  say  that  we  were  to  be  impressed  for  the  Mexican  army  ?  Our  cour- 
age is  so  great  we  should  be  killed  by  the  gringos  in  the  very  first  battle, 
and  then  you  could  not  marry  a  dead  man,  for  he  would  be  of  no  use.  In 
a  few  days  Sanchos  will  leave  this  part  of  the  State  for  Pueblo  los  Angeles, 
or  Santa  Barbara.  Then  I  can  come  from  my  place  of  concealment  after 
all  danger  is  passed,  and  no  one  can  prevent  our  marriage." 

Even  our  dog,  which  had  been  perfectly  quiet  during  all  the  conversation 
here  arose,  shook  himself,  and  uttered  a  subdued  howl.  He  must  have  un- 
derstood my  friend,  and  become  disgusted  at  his  strong  statements,  one 
portion  utterly  devoid  of  truth. 

"  I  dare  not,"  sobbed  the  girl,  and  now  I  began  to  pity  her,  for  who  can 
withstand  a  woman's  tears  ? 

Even  Lewey  seemed  a  little  contrite,  for  his  voice  lost  some  of  its  assur- 
ance, and  he  was  more  considerate,  as  he  said,  — 

"  Chico,  we  must  leave  this  prison  tonight,  and  with  your  aid.  You  can 
say  we  took  the  key  from  you  by  force.  That  you  let  us  out  of  the  cell  for 
a  moment,  to  get  a  bit  of  supper,  and  we  rushed  upon  you,  and  made  our 
escape.  That  is  the  story  you  are  to  tell,  and  no  one  will  disbelieve 
you." 

"  But  where  will  you  go  ?  There  is  no  place  that  is  safe  from  Sanchos. 
He  will  hunt  for  you  in  every  directon,  and,  if  he  finds  you,  death  will  be 
your  lot,"  and  the  young  girl  showed  her  anxiety  by  her  tears. 

"  Fear  not  for  us,  little  one.  Once  beyond  these  walls  we  can  take  care 
of  ourselves.  You  will  aid  us,  O  sweetest  of  San  Diego  maidens  ?  " 


Leivey  and  I. 


"  Yes,  you  shall  go." 

I  heard  a  shower  of  kisses  on  the  girl's  lips,  which  so  disgusted  Jack  he 
uttered  another  growl  of  contempt,  and  I  did  not  blame  him,  for  it  was 
enough  to  make  a  human  being  sick. 

"  Thorn,"  cried  Lewey,  calling  to  me,  «« de  noble-hearted  Mexican  girl 
vill  release  us.  Ve  is  free.  Avake,  and  let  us  be  off,  for  ve  hab  no  time  to 
lose,  and  I  has  vorked  harder  tonight  dan  eber  did  I  afore.  Lying  does 
not  easy  to  me  come.  But,  O  mine  friend,  much  does  I  do  for  you.  May 
you  nebber  be  called  upon  to  act  as  I  hab  dis  night." 

I  did  not  expend  many  sympathetic  words  upon  the  boy,  for  I  thought 
they  would  be  useless,  not  believing  that  he  suffered  as  much  as  he  pre- 
tended. 

The  girl  had  just  taken  the  key  from  her  pocket,  and  handed  it  to  my 
friend,  when  we  heard  a  footstep  at  the  door,  and  then  the  harsh  voice  of 
Sanchos. 

"  Open,  in  the  name  of  the  law,"  he  said. 

"  Quick,  enter  your  cell,"  exclaimed  the  young  assistant  jailor.  "  He 
will  kill  me  if  you  are  seen  in  this  room.  Do  not  delay  a  moment ;  vamous 
muy  presto." 

"  You  will  not  lock  the  door  ? "  asked  Lewey  in  a  low  tone,  as  though  he 
had  a  suspicion  that  she  would  do  so,  and  I  saw  a  shade  pass  over  his  face, 
as  if  he  had  been  suddenly  inspired  with  some  new  idea,  that  was  of 
importance. 

"  Open  the  door,"  repeated  Sanchos.  "  Caramba!  do  you  intend  to  keep 
me  here  all  night  ?  " 

"  Go  in  your  cell,"  the  girl  said,  her  face  showing  the  terror  that  she  felt 
at  the  sudden  appearance  of  the  agent  of  General  Castro.  "  Do  not  delay 
a  moment.  I  will  not  lock  you  in,"  and  then,  to  show  how  sincere  she  was, 
added  hastily,  "  Take  the  key,  and  lock  yourselves  in.  I  will  tell  the  man 
that  father  has  carried  it  with  him  to  the  fandango,  in  case  he  asks  for  it. 
Go,"  and  she  pushed  Lewey  into  the  cell,  and  thrust  the  key  into  my 
friend's  hand. 

He  did  not  delay  a  moment,  but  entered  the  room,  locked  the  door,  and 
then  the  girl  yawned,  as  if  just  awakened  from  a  deep  sleep,  and  admitted 
the  Mexican. 

"  Did  you  not  hear  me  call  to  you  ?  "  Sanchos  asked.  "  For  dios,  but  I 
thought  you  were  deaf." 

"  I  was  sleeping  soundly,  senor,"  the  lady  answered.  "  Last  night  I  had 
but  little  rest  on  account  of  the  drunken  Indians,  and  today  I  have  been 


76  Lewey  and  /. 


busy  with  your  prisoners.  I  did  not  expect  any  one  here  tonight,  and  fell 
into  a  doze.  What  is  the  hour,  senor  ?  " 

She  yawned,  and  Sanchos  was  deceived  by  her  actions  and  words. 

"  I  wish  to  see  the  prisoners,"  the  Mexican  muttered.  "  I  desire  to  be 
sure  that  they  are  safe.  In  a  day  or  two  I  shall  start  them  toward  Monte- 
rey, in  company  with  Indians,  and  perhaps  they  will  arrive  there  in  safety. 
Quen  sabe." 

"  The  prisoners  are  all  right,"  the  girl  said.  "  Look  in  the  cell,  and  see 
for  yourself.  Try  the  door,  and  you  will  find  that  it  is  locked.  The  key 
my  padre  has  in  his  pocket.  He  feared  to  leave  it  at  home." 

"Americano,"  Sanchos  cried,  as  he  endeavored  to  get  a  view  of  me 
through  the  keyhole. 

"  Go  to  the  devil,"  I  retorted.     "We  wish  to  sleep." 

"  You  are  not  polite,"  laughed  the  Mexican.  "  I  shall  teach  you  to  be 
more  complimentary  in  the  course  of  time.  Kick  that  Frenchman  into  life, 
and  let  us  see  what  he  has  to  say  for  himself." 

"  Go  to  the  devil,"  was  the  response  from  Lewey,  in  the  same  tone  and 
words  I  had  used. 

"  Not  until  I  have  sent  you  two  boys  to  see  him,  and  prepared  a  reception 
in  my  behalf.  Would  you  like  to  come  out  ?  " 

No  response  on  our  part,  but  Lewey  grasped  my  arm,  and  whispered 
eagerly,  — 

"  Is  you  game  to  dings  do  ?  Vill  you  lend  me  a  hand  ?  and  in  dis  place 
he  comes,  and  ve  lock  de  door  on  him." 

I  squeezed  back  a  willing  response,  and  then  we  inserted  the  huge  key  in 
its  proper  place,  and  waited  for  our  opportunity,  when  we  could  make  a 
rush,  and  turn  the  tables  on  our  enemy. 

"  I  shall  see  you  in  the  morning,  and  mind  you  have  more  civil  tongues 
in  your  heads,  or  the  worse  for  you.  A  few  dozen  blows  with  the  end  of  a 
reata,  on  your  bare  backs,  will  be  apt  to  improve  your  tempers  and  man- 
ners. Remember,  I  am  master  here  just  at  present,  and  my  word  is  law  to 
all  whom  I  address." 

We  wanted  to  punch  the  scoundrel's  head  for  his  insolence,  but  restrained 
ourselves. 

"  Stand  ready,"  whispered  Lewey.  "  You  take  de  man's  arms.  I  vill 
look  out  for  his  neck,  and  Jack  him  much  vill  bite  about  de  legs.  Be  care- 
ful dat  he  does  not  de  knife  get  hold  of.  If  he  do,  cut  vill  he,  and  ve  may 
come  second  best  off." 

We  heard  the   Mexican  move  away  from  us  to  speak  to  the  girl,  and,  at 


Lewey  and  /. 


this  moment,  Lewey  used  the  key,  flung  open  the  door  of  the  cell,  and  we 
sprang  out,  and  toward  Sanchos,  Jack  at  our  heels. 

The  Mexican  turned  at  the  noise  we  made,  and,  when  he  saw  us,  his  sur- 
prise was  so  great  that  for  a  moment  he  forgot  to  reach  for  his  long,  sharp 
knife, 

"  Go  for  him,  Jack,"  I  yelled,  and  then  Lewey  and  myself  threw  our  arms 
around  the  man,  the  French  boy  at  his  throat,  while  I  seized  the  elbows, 
and  pinned  them  at  his  side,  and  the  dog  did  some  beautiful  tearing  in  the 
neighborhood  of  his  ankles. 

"  Diablo  !  help !  "  yelled  Sanchos.  "  Give  the  alarm,  girl.  The  prison- 
ers will  escape.  A  thousand  curses  on  you." 

He  struggled  fearfully,,  but  we  had  the  strength  and  muscle  to  cope  with 
him.  Besides,  we  had  been  trained  to  hard  work  for  three  years,  pulling 
and  hauling  ropes,  furling  sails,  and  rowing,  and  were  not  easily  exhausted, 
while  the  Mexican  had  led  an  indolent  life,  the  only  exercise  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  was  riding  horseback.  I  will  give  the  scamp  the  credit  of  being 
a  good  equestrian,  and  he  could  throw  a  lariat  with  the  precision  of  a  rifle- 
ball. 

"  Down  him,"  cried  Lewey,  as  the  fellow  continued  to  yell,  and  we  feared 
that  he  would  alarm  the  neighborhood,  while  the  girl  was  in  a  corner, 
wringing  her  hands,  and  almost  frantic  with  terror. 

We  tripped  the  greaser  up,  and  let  him  fall  with  a  heavy  thud,  his  head 
striking  first,  and  it  rather  confused  his  senses  for  a  moment,  but  the  instant 
he  recovered  breath  a  yell  issued  from  his  mouth  that  must  have  been 
heard  in  the  street,  had  any  one  been  listening. 

In  the  mean  time  Jack  had  torn  off  the  Mexican's  leggings,  and  was  now 
down  to  hard  pan,  every  bite  telling,  as  we  could  judge  by  the  fellow's  kicks, 
for  he  was  moving  his  legs  quite  lively,  and  sometimes  the  dog  was  in  the 
air,  and  then  on  the  floor,  but  at  no  period  did  he  release  his  firm  grip  of 
flesh  and  clothes.  Jack  knew  his  business,  and  was  attending  to  it  with 
promptness  and  despatch. 

"  Call  off  your  blanked  dog,"  gasped  the  Mexican,  but,  as  he  opened  his 
mouth  to  speak,  Lewey  jammed  a  piece  of  the  leggings  in  between  his 
teeth,  and  gagged  the  greaser  effectually,  so  that  he  could  no  longer  shout 
for  help.  To  prevent  being  bitten  by  the  desperate  man  my  friend  used 
the  iron  key  with  much  force  and  happy  results;  then  I  reached  down  and 
seized  the  long  knife,  which  had  fallen  from  its  sheath,  and  put  the  point  to 
the  owner's  throat. 

"  Be  quiet,  or  I  '11  kill  you  as  you  lie  on  the  floor,"  I  said,  and  Sanchos 


8o  Lewey  and  I. 


saw  that  I  was  in  earnest,  for  he  made  a  motion  that  he  had  yielded,  and 
would  make  no  more  resistance. 

"  Turn  him  ober,"  cried  Lewey.  "  Ve  must  his  hands  and  arms  lash  to 
keep  all  quiet,"  and  over  on  his  stomach  we  rolled  the  man,  and  then  took 
the  sash  he  wore  around  his  waist,  and  tied  his  elbows  together  so  that  he 
could  no  longer  assail  us,  had  he  been  so  disposed. 

We  drove  Jack  from  his  sport,  dragged  the  greaser  to  the  cell  we  had  re- 
cently occupied,  threw  him  in,  and  then  said,. — 

"  For  the  present  we  are  quits.  We  won't  kill  you,  as  you  deserve  for 
your  treachery,  but  hereafter  let  us  alone,  and  we  will  be  satisfied." 

We  could  not  see  the  man's  face  in  the  darkness,  but  it  must  have  been 
expressive,  as  he  lay  on  the  floor  powerless.  He  moved  his  legs,  however, 
and  kicked  at  us,  but  we  were  beyond  his  reach.  Then,  wishing  the  Mexi- 
can good-night,  we  passed  out  of  the  cell,  and  locked  the  door. 

"  Caro,"  said  Lewey,  to  the  frightened  girl,  "  here  is  the  key.  Better  run 
with  it  to  your  father,  and  tell  him  to  swear  that  it  has  not  left  his  posses- 
sion for  even  a  moment.  Sanchos  will  think  the  gringos  made  one  like  it, 
so  shall  you  and  yours  escape  all  harm  for  what  has  occurred." 

"  But  you  still  love  me  ? "  sobbed  the  girl. 

"  Of  course.     Have  I  not  said  so  r  " 

"  And  you  will  marry  me  very  soon  ?  "  pleaded  the  woman,  and  she  looked 
hard  at  Lewey,  a  little  suspicious  of  his  intentions. 

"  You  must  wait  with  patience  until  I  return,"  the  French  lad  said.  "  We 
are  surrounded  by  danger,  and  this  is  no  time  to  talk  of  matrimony." 

We  were  moving  toward  the  door,  which  was  unlocked,  when  the  young 
lady  sprang  toward  us,  and  laid  her  hand  on  my  friend's  arm,  thus  detain- 
ing him  for  a  moment. 

"  You  are  two  bad  men,"  she  cried,  "  and  I  do  not  believe  that  either  of 
you  ever  thought  of  marrying  me.  I  have  got  to  lose  my  prisoners,  and  a 
husband  at  the  same  time." 

"  But  think  of  the  kisses  that  you  have  received.  Don't  those  count  for 
something,  little  darling  ? "  asked  the  hard-hearted  French  boy,  as  he  con- 
tinued to  move  toward  the  door. 

"  Ladrone  of  the  devil,"  she  yelled,  "you  have  cheated  and  deceived  me. 
You  have  no  love  for  me,"  and,  by  Jove,  she  made  a  grab  for  the  boy's 
thick  head  of  hair,  fastened  both  hands  in  it  with  a  firm  grip,  and  screamed 
like  "an  enraged  panther  when  deprived  of  its  young. 

"  Take  de  blessed  lunatic  off,"  cried  Lewey.  "  She  vill  mine  head  pull 
from  de  neck.  Sacre,  vot  a  little  fire-spit." 


Lewey  and  I,  81 


I  feared  the  girl  would  attract  attention  from  some  one  passing  the  cala- 
bozo,  and,  although  convulsed  with  laughter,  strove  to  disengage  her  fin- 
gers, and  at  last  succeeded,  but,  as  she  let  go  her  hold,  the  girl  turned,  and 
fetched  me  a  blow  on  the  face  that  made  me  see  quite  a  number  of  stars, 
and  for  a  moment  I  thought  I  was  in  the  presence  of  a  prize-fighter. 

"  That  will  teach  you  better  than  to  interfere  in  my  affairs  again,"  were 
the  last  words  we  heard  from  the  girl,  for  she  immediately  tumbled  to  the 
floor,  and  kicked  her  heels  on  the  planks  until  the  noise  sounded  like  the 
tatoo  of  a  drum. 

"  By  gar,  vot  a  vife  she  vould  make  for  a  nice  young  man  like  me,"  was 
all  the  comment  Lewey  made  as  we  darted  out  of  the  door,  followed  by 
Jack,  and  closing  it  after  us. 

As  we  ran  down  the  dark  street  we  could  hear  the  hysterical  screams  of 
the  disappointed  candidate  for  matrimony  until  we  turned  a  corner,  and 
'then  the  sounds  of  a  harp  and  guitar  came  from  an  adobe  house,  showing 
that  a  fandango  was  in  full  blast  near  us. 

"  I  must  hab  one  leetle  look,"  the  French  boy  said.  "  I  vish  to  see  de 
ladies,  God  bless  'em,  and  to  note  if  dey  is  booful.  A  Frenchman  nebber 
miss  a  chance  to  pay  his  respects  to  de  softer  sex." 

I  rubbed  my  face,  and  wondered  if  all  the  girls  of  San  Diego  had  hands 
like  the  jailor's  daughter,  and  then  attempted  to  point  out  to  my  friend  the 
danger  of  stopping,  even  for  a  moment.  But  he  was  deaf  to  my  prayers, 
and  was  not  going  to  walk  five  miles  to  the  hide-house  until  he  had  re- 
freshed his  eyes  with  a  glance  at  the  girls,  and  he  had  his  way,  for  argu- 
ment was  lost  on  him,  being  so  impulsive  and  reckless. 

The  door  of  the  house  stood  open,  and  there  was  sound  of  scuffling  reet, 
as  the  ladies  and  men  waltzed.  We  kept  in  the  shadow  of  the  building,  and 
looked  in.  There  was  a  roomful  of  dark-faced  greasers,  and  brilliant-eyed 
women,  and  in  the  corner,  near  a  sort  of  bar,  we  saw  bottles  of  wine  and 
aguardiente,  and  a  scamp  we  did  not  care  to  meet,  it  being  Carlos  Sanchos, 
brother  of  the  fellow  we  had  placed  in  our  cell,  and  the  same  person  we  had 
good  reason  to  suspect  of  firing  on  us  the  evening  we  made  our  way  toward 
San  Diego.  Carlos  was  drinking  aguardiente,  with  several  of  his  gang 
near  him  each  having  a  glass  in  hand,  and  a  half-breed  girl  in  close  proxim- 
ity to  the  party. 

"  I  'd  like  to  fetch  him  a  crack  ober  de  head,"  muttered  Lewey,  as  he 
watched  the  movements  of  the  greaser,  and  just  at  that  moment  a  woman 
came  to  the  door  to  get  a  breath  of  fresh  air.  Before  we  could  dart  away 
she  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  us,  and,  with  Mexican  courtesy,  said,  — 


82  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Entrer,  muchachos." 

We  heard  a  stir  in  the  room,  and  dropping  of  glasses,  but  did  not  halt 
for  further  demonstrations.  We  ran  down  a  street,  turned  a  corner,  and 
saw  before  us  the  house  of  Captain  Fitch,  with  a  light  burning  in  the  din- 
ing-room. We  did  not  stop  to  let  the  gentleman  know  we  were  out  of  pris- 
on, but  kept  on,  as  we  heard  the  sound  of  footsteps  behind  us.  We  knew 
that  we  could  outrun  any  greaser  in  the  town,  but  were  not  disposed  to  give 
the  fellows  a  chance  to  try  conclusions,  as  we  feared  pursuit  on  horseback, 
and  from  several  directions,  which  might  be  fatal  to  our  fortunes  and 
hopes. 

As  we  passed  Captain  Fitch's  premises  we  saw  a  low  adobe  wall,  not 
more  than  five  feet  high,  and  enclosing  a  garden,  the  residence  of  a  rich 
Mexican,  who  was  collector  of  customs,  or  something  of  the  sort. 

"  Ober  ve  goes  here."  panted  Lewey,  and  he  made  a  spring,  vaulted  on 
the  wall,  and  then  jumped  to  the  ground,  on  the  other  side. 

I  caught  up  Jack,  who  seemed  to  think  that  the  race  was  gotten  up  for 
his  especial  benefit,  pitched  him  over  the  wall,  and  then  followed  the  ani- 
mal, and,  just  as  I  landed,  a  whole  troop  of  greasers  came  down  the  street, 
followed  by  all  the  dogs  in  the  neighborhood.  Luckily  for  us  the  latter 
were  worthless  curs,  and  without  the  power  to  follow  a  trail,  unless  it  was 
fresh  and  broad,  like  that  of  a  wild  animal.  Man  they  had  never  been, 
taught  to  hunt,  although  a  few  of  them  could  track  an  Indian,  if  encouraged 
to  do  so  by  their  owners. 

As  the  greasers  passed  down  the  street  we  could  hear  them  panting  from 
the  unusual  exercise.  Then  they  stopped  near  us,  and  all  talked  at  once, 
like  a  group  of  school-girls,  who  expect  an  invitation  to  a  party.  We  had 
to  keep  a  firm  hold  of  Jack's  mouth,  for  he  made  considerable  exertion  to 
free  his  mind  by  the  way  of  growls  and  angry  barks. 

"  They  did  not  come  this  way,"  one  Bellow  said.  "  They  turned  to  the 
right.  I  know  they  did,  for  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  them." 

"  Who  were  they  ?  "  asked  Carlos.     "  Does  any  one  know  ?  " 
"  They  were  the  two  boys  confined  in  the  calabozo,"  a  greaser  said.     «  I 
caught  a  glimpse  of  them  as  they  ran  from  the  door  of  the  house." 

«  Diablo,  impossible,"  cried  Carlos.  "  They  are  in  the  calabozo,  safe 
under  lock  and  key.  You  must  be  mistaken." 

"  I  know  that  I  am  not,"  was  the  positive  reply.     «  I  remember  the  boys 
very  well.     I  have  often  seen  them  when  they  belonged  to  a  ship  that  was 
on  the  coast." 
"  How  could  they  have  made  their  escape,  if  such  is  the  case  ?  "  demand- 


Lewey  and  /.  83 


ed  Carlos,  but,  as  no  one  seemed  able  to  answer  the  question,  a  man  sud- 
denly asked,  — 

"  Where  is  Don  Sanchos,  your  brother  ?  He  should  be  here,  and  advise 
us."  , 

No  one  could  say  where  the  chief  scoundrel  was  located  just  at  that  mo- 
ment, although  I  heard  several  of  the  greasers  laugh,  as  though  it  would  not 
answer  to  tell  all  that  they  knew  about  the  fellow's  movements  in  the  night- 
time. 

"  I  will  wager  a  medio  peso  that  the  boys  are  at  this  moment  in  Don 
Fitch's  house.  They  would  naturally  go  there  for  protection  and  advice,"  a 
Mexican  said,  one  who  had  not  before  spoken,  and  whose  head  seemed 
clearer  than  the  others. 

"  Well  thought  of,"  was  the  exclamation  of  Carlos.  "  We  will  go  and  ask 
the  senor  if  he  is  sheltering  suspicious  persons." 

The  fellows  moved  off  in  the  direction  of  Mr.  Fitch's  premises,  not  more 
than  one  hundred  feet  from  our  place  of  concealment.  Under  the  shadow 
of  a  fig-tree  we  watched  the  crowd  hovering  around  the  adobe  house  of  the 
American,  and  we  wondered  what  their  reception  would  be  like  by  the 
sturdy  ex- whaleman. 

"  Now  is  de  time  for  us  to  cut  de  stick,"  Lewey  whispered,  and  we  stole 
through  the  garden  grounds,  still  holding  on  to  Jack,  to  prevent  his  giving 
an  alarm,  passed  to  the  other  side  of  the  premises,  and  climbed  the  wall, 
dropped  once  more  into  the  street,  and  struck  out  for  the  hide-house. 

"  By  gar,"  Lewey  said,  as  we  walked  along  at  a  rapid  gait,  "  ve  sheats  'em 
booful." 

"  Yes,  but  we  should  have  had  no  occasion  to  cheat  them  had  you  not 
been  so  obstinate,"  I  remarked.  "  When  will  you  learn  a  little  prudence, 
you  hot-headed  Frenchman  ?  " 

"  Bah,  I  runs  more  risk  den  dat  to  see  de  booful  girls.  A  true  French- 
man nebber  dinks  of  danger  vhen  de  softer  sex  is  concerned.  He  risk  all, 
eben  his  honor,  for  one  sight  of  a  nice  face,  one  dat  he  can  make  love  to. 
Me  true  Frenchman." 

"  Yes,  I  believe  it,"  I  sighed ;  "  and,  confound  you,  that  tongue  of  yours, 
and  desire  to  make  love  to  everything  that  wears  a  petticoat,  will  cost  you 
dearly  some  day.  Oh,  why  will  you  not  imitate  me,  and  keep  out  of  all 
danger?" 

The  boy  passed  an  arm  around  my  neck,  as  we  walked,  and  then 
whispered,  — 

"You  is  here  now,  in  dis  place,  all  'cos  I  talks  to  one  female  dat  like  to 


84  Leivey  and  I. 


be  made  love  to.     Don't  you  say  on  2  vord  about  de  prudence,  and  all    dat. 
as  I  knows  you  kiss  de  girl  afore  I  comes  to  your  help.    Deny  it  can  you  not." 

I  did  not  reply,  for  just  at  that  moment  we  heard  a  roar  from  the  mob 
in  the  town,  and  we  suspected  that  Mr.  Fitch  was  having  his  hands  full  in 
explaining  to  his  visitors  that  no  one  was  in  his  house,  except  those  who 
had  a  just  right  to  be  there. 

In  fact,  we  afterward  learned  that  the  sturdy  old  captain  had  explained 
that  he  knew  nothing  of  our  whereabouts,  and  advised  the  Mexicans  to  go 
to  the  calabozo,  and  find  out  if  we  had  made  our  escape  from  the  prison. 
This  the  greasers  did,  and,  when  they  released  Don  Sanchos  from  the  cell, 
and  his  lashings,  the  profanity  of  the  man  was  shocking,  and  he  swore  that 
he  would  yet  have  revenge  for  all  of  his  injuries.  In  the  mean  time,  in 
spite  of  his  imprecations,  Antonio  did  not  lose  his  head.  He  directed  that 
horses  should  be  mounted,  and  search  made  for  us  on  all  the  roads,  and 
along  the  beach,  thinking  that  we  might  secure  a  boat,  and  paddle  to  the 
hide-house  by  water,  the  safest  way  if  we  had  been  sure  of  finding  a  skiff 
on  the  flats.  But  we  did  not  dare  to  run  the  risk,  and  so  continued  our 
course  by  the  road,  and  soon  left  the  town  behind  us. 

It  was  near  ten  o'clock,  we  judged  by  the  stars,  and  just  cool  enough  to 
make  walking  agreeable.  We  had  jogged  on  for  half  an  hour  or  so,  when 
we  heard  the  galloping  of  horses  in  our  rear,  and  suspected  that  our  Mex- 
ican friends  were  in  pursuit  of  us.  We  left  the  highway,  and  entered  the 
bushes,  waiting  for  the  greasers  to  pass.  We  had  to  hold  our  dog  very 
hard  as  the  horsemen  clattered  by,  at  a  full  gallop,  and,  as  they  disappeared 
in  the  darkness,  we  continued  our  journey,  knowing  that  we  could  do  so 
with  safety,  as  a  Mexican  never  walks  if  he  can  ride,  and  we  thought  that 
the  noise  that  the  animals  might  make,  if  they  returned  to  town,  would  give 
us  ample  time  for  concealment. 

And  so  we  pushed  along,  looking  sharply  on  either  side  of  the  road  for 
an  ambush,  and  by  eleven  o'clock  we  were  warned  that  the  Mexicans  had 
started  on  their  way  back  to  town.  They  had  been  to  the  hide-house,  and 
seemed  satisfied  that  we  were  not  there,  and  supposed  that  we  had  not  left 
the  limits  of  the  village.  We  once  more  secreted  ourselves  in  the  scrub, 
and  waited  until  the  cavalcade  had  passed.  There  were  four  men,  and 
they  discussed  the  probability  of  overhauling  us,  while  one  greaser,  who 
seemed  to  have  a  little  more  humor  than  the  rest  of  his  companions,  actual- 
ly laughed  as  he  related  the  finding  of  Don  Sanchos,  bound  and  gagged,  in 
the  cell.  He  even  complimented  us  by  saying  that  we  were  smart  boys 
and  had  played  a  sharp  Yankee  trick  on  the  agent  of  the  government. 


Lewey  and  I.  85 


When  the  Mexicans  were  out  of  sight  we  resumed  our  journey,  and 
were  soon  at  the  entrance  of  the  hide-house.  All  was  dark  within,  and 
there  was  not  a  light  on  the  whole  beach.  Every  one  had  retired  except 
the  dogs,  and  they  came  toward  us  with  a  rush  and  roar,  then  saw  Jack, 
and  recognized  us  as  friends,  and  so  left  us  to  seek  their  usual  sleeping 
quarters,  or  bark  defiance  at  the  coyotes  on  the  sand-hills  in  the  rear  of  the 
houses. 

I  pounded  on  the  door  of  the  premises  to  awaken  Scotch  Jack,  the  keep- 
er, but  he  seemed  disposed  to  pay  no  attention  to  the  summons,  even  if  he 
heard  us,  and  it  was  not  until  we  had  beaten  arappel  with  two  sticks  for 
ten  minutes  that  the  old  man  condescended  to  move,  and  then  he  uttered  a 
choice  assortment  of  oaths,  as  he  yelled  out,  — 

"  Go  away  from  this,  you  blanked  greasers,  or  you  will  get  hurt.  The 
boys  are  not  here.  I  wish  they  were.  You  would  n't  get  'em,  now  I  tell 
you." 

"Jack,  old  fellow,"  I  said,  "  don't  you  know  us?  It  is  Lewey  and  Thorn. 
Let  us  in,  for  we  are  tired  and  hungry." 

"You  don't  mean  to  tell  me  it 's  you  two  boys?"  the  old  sailor  said. 
"  Well,  this  beats  the  Dutch." 

He  unlocked  the  door,  and  the  next  instant  the  old  Scotch  salt  was  shak- 
ing our  hands,  and  petting  us,  as  if  he  had  not  seen  us  for  a  year. 

"  Come  in,  lads,"  he  cried,  "  and  let  me  close  the  door.  The  bloody 
greasers  stopped  here  a  short  time  ago,  and  insisted  that  you  were  in  the 
building.  I  told  'em  you  were  not,  and,  when  they  was  too  perlite  in  their 
attentions,  I  jist  drew  on  'em  with  one  of  the  old  muskets,  and  they  left  in  a 
hurry.  The  gun  was  n't  loaded,  but  they  did  n't  know  it,  so  it  was  jist  as 
good  as  if  it  had  been.  Now  tell  me  all  about  it,  and  how  you  got  clear  of 
the  swabs  ? " 

We  soon  satisfied  the  Scotchman's  curiosity,  and  then  he  roused  out  the 
kanaka,  set  him  to  work  making  a  fire  and  a  cup  of  coffee  and,  after  we 
had  eaten  enough  to  satisfy  our  hunger,  all  hands  lighted  pipes,  and  held  a 
council  of  war  as  to  the  best  method  to  be  adopted  to  protect  ourselves  in 
case  an  attack  should  be  made  the  next  morning,  for  we  did  not  for  a  mo- 
ment suppose  that  the  Mexicans  would  let  us  escape  without  further 
molestation. 

"We  '11  fight  'em,"  the  old  salt  said.  "  They  can't  take  you  as  long  as 
I  'm  alive.  I  can  whip  a  dozen  greasers  when  I  'm  mad,  and  has  done  it 
time  and  time  agin." 

He  meant  when  he  had  a  cargo  of  aguardiente  on  board,  but  we  thought 


86 


Lewey  and  I. 


it  not  prudent  to  hint  such  a  thing  at  that  time,  as  we  did  not  care  to  les- 
sen his  enthusiasm  in  our  behalf. 

"  In  the  fust  place,"  Jack  said,  as  he  knocked  the  ashes  from  his  black, 
strong  pipe,  "  we  must  load  up  the  old  muskets,  and  get  'em  ready  for  ac- 
tion. No  takin'  us  by  surprise,  boys,  in  the  mornin'.  The  greasers  will 
come  agin,  and  we  '11  be  prepared  for  'em.  Some  of  the  men  at  the  other 
hide-houses  can  lend  us  a  hand  if  we  want  'em  to,  I  'm  sure.  I  '11  jist  put 
the  American  flag  over  the  door,  and  blank  the  cuss  that  dares  to  pass  un- 
der it  when  I  tells  him  not  to.  Don't  you  be  afeard,  boys.  I  'm  on  deck, 
and  commands  this  craft,  and  knows  what  I  'm  about  every  watch." 

We  loaded  the  two  old  muskets  with  heavy  charges  of  powder  and  small 
shot,  and  Jack  got  out  a  rusty  cutlass,  which  he  knew  how  to  handle,  and 
then  we  put  out  the  lights,  and  turned  in,  tired  and  sleepy  with  the  exciting 
incidents  of  the  day  and  evening. 

We  were  not  disturbed  during  the  night,  and  awoke  refreshed,  and  feel- 
ing able  to  cope  with  any  disagreeable  incidents  that  might  occur  during 
the  day.  When  we  turned  out  the  kanaka  was  preparing  breakfast,  and 
Scotch  Jack  was  absent  from  the  house,  and  did  not  return  for  some  time. 
When  he  came  back  we  noticed  that  the  old  cutlass  was  at  his  side,  held  in 
place  by  a  stout  leather  strap,  which  served  the  double  purpose  of  keeping 
his  trousers  around  his  hips,  and  as  a  sword  belt.  He  appeared  as  proud 
of  the  weapon  as  a  captain  of  a  man-of-war  in  full  uniform,  and  assumed  the 
airs  of  one.  He  seemed  to  run  away  with  the  idea  that  the  greasers,  if  they 
came  to  the  beach  in  the  course  of  the  day,  would  be  impressed  with  his 
war-like  appearance,  and  make  a  hasty  retreat. 

"  I  have  been  around  to  the  other  hide-houses,  and  tipped  the  crews  the 
word  as  to  what  we  might  expect,  and  the  boys  will  lend  us  a  helping  hand, 
if  we  wants  'em  to,"  the  old  sailor  remarked,  as  he  took  his  seat  at  the  ta- 
ble, and  laid  the  cutlass  on  a  spare  chair,  with  all  the  dignity  and  precau- 
tions of  a  military  chieftain.  "  I  hopes  the  greasers  will  keep  away  from 
us,  'cos  I  don' t  want  no  row,  but  if  one  comes  the  hardest  must  fend  off. 
Blank  the  man  what  won't  fight  for  a  messmate,  say  I." 

We  certainly  hoped  the  Mexicans  would  give  us  no  more  trouble,  but 
had  our  doubts  on  the  subject,  as  we  expected  the  Sanchos  family  would 
not  relinquish  all  thoughts  of  revenge  so  readily.  They  were  vindictive 
scamps,  and  had  the  power  to  make  it  uncomfortable  for  us,  at  least  for  a 
time. 

The  day  was  pleasant,  as  no  rain  fell,  but  the  sky  was  overcast,  and  the 
wind  light  from  the  southerd.  The  air  was  delicious,  pure  and  invigorat- 


Lewey  and  I.  87 


ing.  Great  flocks  of  brant  and  ducks,  geese  and  snipe,  filled  the  flats  of 
the  harbor,  and  made  lively  music  with  their  quacking  and  honks,  while 
the  waters  of  the  bay  were  covered  with  gulls  and  pelicans.  We  looked  at 
the  fowl  as  they  fed  at  low  tide,  and  longed  to  make  an  expedition  against 
them,  but  when  we  hinted  as  much  to  the  Scotchman  he  repudiated  the 
idea  with  scorn. 

"  You  jist  stay  where  you  is,"  he  said.  "  Keep  in  the  house,  and  have  an 
eye  on  me.  I  'm  skipper  of  this  craft,  and  mean  to  command  it.  No  liber- 
ty today  for  any  one,"  and  we  did  not  care  to  disobey  the  order,  knowing 
how  much  we  were  dependant  on  the  old  sailor  for  protection. 

About  ten  o'clock  some  one  on  the  beach  shouted  "  Sail  oh,"  and  we 
rushed  to  the  door,  thinking  that  a  ship  had  entered  the  harbor,  but  the 
alarm  was  false,  as  it  alluded  to  a  party  of  horsemen  who  were  galloping 
along  the  road  leading  from  the  town.  We  counted  twelve  Mexicans,  and 
thought  that  we  could  recognize  the  two  Sanchos  at  the  head  of  the  caval- 
cade. 

"  Stand  by  for  stays,"  cried  Jack,  and  took  up  his  leather  belt  one  more 
hole,  and  laid  his  hand  hard  on  the  hilt  of  the  cutlass.  "  Get  the  guns  all 
ready,  and  don't  fire  till  I  gives  the  word  of  command.  I  'm  goin'  to  have 
a  little  talk  with  'em." 

As  Jack's  Spanish  was  rather  limited  we  did  not  see  how  it  was  to  be 
done  with  satisfaction  on  either  side,  but  made  no  objections. 

The  horsemen  dashed  up  to  the  door  of  the  hide-house,  and  we  saw  the 
evil  faces  of  Antonio  Sanchos  and  his  brother  Carlos  among  the  greasers. 
They  did  not  dismount,  but  sat  on  their  horses  for  the  first  half  hour,  and 
talked,  as  if  reluctant  to  come  to  blows. 

"  Senor  maestro  de  la  casa,"  cried  Antonio,  addressing  the  Scotchman, 
"  you  have  two  fugitives  from  justice  under  your  protection.  We  want 
them.  Will  you  surrender  the  lads  to  us,  or  shall  we  take  them  by  force  ?  " 

"  Go  to  the  devil,"  roared  the  Scotchman,  who  understood  only  the  first 
few  words  spoken  by  Sanchos.  "  Jabber  English,  you  blanked  fools,  if  you 
desire  to  palaver  with  a  gentleman  like  me.  I  don't  know  your  hog  Latin, 
and  don't  want  to,  but  I  can  patter  the  John  Bull  tongue,  or  the  Gaelic  of 
old  Scotland,  with  any  able  seaman  of  my  weight." 

"  We  do  not  comprehend  a  word  that  you  say,"  replied  Sanchos,  who 
had  listened  attentively,  in  the  hope  of  catching  a  sentence  or  two  of  the 
old  sailor's  meaning,  but  had  to  give  up  in  despair.  "  Let  the  young  men 
interpret  for  us.  They  at  least  know  what  we  say,  even  if  their  Spanish  is 
faulty." 


88  Lewey  and  I. 


"Hear  de  cheek,"  muttered  Lewey,  "and  he  know  I  speak  de  lingo 
booful." 

"  What  do  the  greasers  say  ? "  asked  Jack,  turning  to  us.  "  I  don't  get 
the  hang  of  their  habler." 

We  informed  the  Scotchman  of  the  Mexican's  wishes,  and,  although 
Jack  wanted  to  do  all  the  talking,  he  grumblingly  allowed  us  to  take  a  hand 
in  the  palaver. 

"  Tell  the  greasers,"  the  old  sailor  said,  "  that  they  had  better  tack  ship, 
and  head  for  the  town  once  more,  for  it 's  no  good  for  'em  to  remain  here. 
They  won't  get  you  without  a  fight,  and  some  one  will  lose  the  number  of 
his  mess.  Let  them  put  that  in  their  pipes,  and  smoke  it,  if  they  will." 

We  translated  the  speech,  not  exactly  in  the  form  in  which  it  was  deliv- 
ered, but  as  near  as  we  could,  so  as  to  convey  a  firm  defiance,  and,  after 
Antonio  Sanchos  had  heard  us  to  the  end,  very  patiently,  I  will  admit,  he 
said,  — 

"  War  has  been  declared  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  and  we 
have  the  right  to  destroy  all  the  houses  on  the  beach,  and  arrest  every  per- 
son who  has  sailed  under  the  American  flag.  We  do  not  desire  to  proceed 
to  extremities,  but  we  will  have  you  two  boys,  by  force  if  necessary." 

"That  yarn  is  as  long  as  the  mainto'-bowlin',"  muttered  Jack,  as  the 
Mexican  ceased  speaking.  "  It  takes  a  sight  of  words  from  a  greaser  to 
say  a  little  thing  what  has  no  meanin'." 

We  related  to  the  old  sailor  all  that  the  man  uttered,  and  Jack  assumed 
the  dignity  of  an  officer,  as  he  handled  his  cutlass,  and  replied,  — 

"  Tell  'em  that  they  may  go  to  the  warmest  place  they  can  think  of,  and 
stay  there  forever,  and  then  I  won't  give  you  up." 

As  soon  as  the  words  were  conveyed  to  the  Mexicans  Sanchos  seemed 
inclined  to  be  angry,  for  he  gave  an  order,  and  all  of  his  companions  dis- 
mounted, drew  keen,  long  knives,  unbuckl  d  the  heavy  spurs  from  their 
heels,  waved  them  in  their  left  hands  as  weapons  of  attack,  and  then  ad- 
vanced toward  us,  thinking  that  they  could  carry  our  stronghold  with  a 
rush,  but,  as  they  came  on,  Lewey  and  I  brought  the  old  muskets  to  our 
shoulders,  and  covered  the  crowd,  while  Jack  brandished  his  cutlass  in  a 
defiant  manner,  and  the  kanaka  cook  whirled  a  hatchet  around  his  head, 
something  after  the  style  of  an  Indian's  tomahawk. 

The  Mexicans  took  six  steps  forward,  but,  noting  the  warlike  display  that 
was  prepared  for  their  reception,  halted  in  an  irresolute  manner,  and  once 
more  opened  a  parley. 

"We  wish  to  spare  the  shedding  of  blood,"  Don  Antonio  Sanchos  said 


Lewey  and  I.  89 


"  because,  if  we  make  an  attack,  some  brave  men  will  have  to  die.  This 
we  desire  to  avoid.  Let  us  decide  the  question  in  a  just  manner.  Come 
back  with  us  to  the  town,  go  to  the  calabozo,  and  remain  there  until  General 
Castro  is  heard  from.  After  that  we  will  see  what  can  be  done  for  you." 

Now  this  might  have  been  just  and  fair,  except  for  the  reason  that  we 
knew  Sanchos  would  never  forgive  us  for  what  we  had  done,  could  chain 
us  to  a  gang  of  pressed  recruits,  and  hurry  us  toward  the  headquarters  of 
the  army,  and  then  conveniently  murder  us  on  the  way.  He  and  his  broth- 
ers were  none  too  good  for  just  such  treachery,  so  we  determined  to  keep 
out  of  their  power,  if  possible,  and  accept  of  no  compromise. 

"Come  on,  you  black-hearted  scoundrels,  and  feel  the  weight  of  a 
Scotchman's  arm,"  Jack  yelled,  seeing  the  Mexicans  halt,  and  fearing  that 
there  would  be  no  fight  after  all.  He  did  not  wait  until  we  had  translated 
the  greaser's  speech.  It  was  enough  for  the  old  sailor  that  there  was  a  de- 
cided tendency  to  indulge  in  words,  not  blows,  and  he  preferred  the  latter 
when  his  blood  was  up.  The  property  in  the  hide  house,  the  house  itself, 
might  be  destroyed  during  the  melee,  but  there  was  a  great  principle  at 
stake,  and  he  was  not  going  to  lose  sight  of  it  for  a  moment. 

"Tell  'em  to  hold  on  for  a  moment,"  the  old  sailor  cried,  and  entered  the 
hide-house,  took  a  small  American  flag  from  his  chest,  wrapped  the  end 
around  his  left  arm,  and  then  boldly  shook  the  banner  in  the  eyes  of  the 
greasers,  and,  as  he  did  so,  shouted,  — 

"  Blank  you  for  worthless,  cowardly  curs.  Do  you  see  what  I  have  in 
my  hand  ?  It  is  the  American  stars  and  stripes.  I  've  served  under  'em 
for  twenty  years,  and  blank  me  if  I  won't  die  under  'em  afore  I  stirs  hand 
or  foot  from  double  your  numbers.  Now  come  on,  and  remember  that 
every  knife  aimed  at  me  is  a  blow  at  the  nation  this  flag  represents.  Some- 
body will  get  hurt  if  this  fooling  continues  much  longer." 

If  the  Mexicans  had  understood  him  they  might  have  been  deeply  im- 
pressed by  his  words,  but,  as  they  did  not,  there  were  several  broad  grins 
on  the  faces  of  the  greasers,  for  they  cared  no  more  for  the  flag  of  our 
country,  at  that  time,  than  a  United-States  ship  did  for  the  Mexican  bande- 
ra,  which  waved  occasionally  over  the  presidios  along  the  coast,  and  had 
but  little  power  to  back  it. 

"  Blank  'em,  if  they  a'n't  laughin'  at  me,"  cried  the  indignant  Scotchman. 
"  I  '11  give  'em  somethin'  to  laugh  at  afore  long,  unless  they  minds  their 
eye.  They  don't  know  me  yet,"  and  Jack  put  on  some  more  quarter-deck 
airs,  and  swelled  up,  just  as  he  had  seen  certain  captains  of  ships  do,  when 
their  dignity  was  called  in  question. 


9°  Lewey  and  I. 


"  We  can't  stand  here  talking  all  day,"  the  elder  Sanchos  cried,  as  soon 
as  he  and  his  gang  had  allowed  the  grins  to  pass  from  their  faces.  "  We 
care  no  more  for  your  Yankee  flag  than  we  do  for  the  green  banner  of  the 
false  prophet.  Once  more,  will  you  give  up  the  boys  ?  " 

"  What  does  he  say  ?  "  demanded  Jack. 

"  He  say,"  cried  Lewey,  with  a  little  stretch  of  imagination,  "  dat  he 
care  no  more  for  de  American  flag  dan  he  do  for  all  de  Scotchmen  in  de 
vorld,  and  dat  he  can  lick  us  vid  one  hand." 

"  Hold  hard,"  muttered  the  indignant  sailor.  "  He  slights  a  true-blooded 
son  of  old  Scotland,  does  he  ?  Why,  blank  that  greaser's  eyes,  I  could  eat 
a  dozen  like  him." 

The  Mexicans  seemed  to  think  the  time  for  argument  had  expired,  and 
that  a  good  chance  for  an  attack  now  presented  itself.  They  came  forward 
with  a  rush,  but  dreaded  the  sight  of  the  two  old  muskets,  and  Jack's  for- 
midable cutlass.  Once  more  they  halted,  and  seemed  disposed  for  another 
palaver,  but  just  then  a  new  idea  struck  the  elder  Sanchos. 

"  Compadres,"  he  said,  "  we  will  burn  the  coyotes  out  of  their  holes. 
Let  us  set  fire  to  the  building,  and  destroy  it,  and  the  nest  of  the  enemies 
of  the  State." 

This  was  a  scheme  I  had  feared  would  enter  their  minds,  and  it  was  one 
fraught  with  danger  to  every  person  on  the  beach,  for,  if  one  hide-house 
was  fired,  the  others  would  surely  go,  as  they  were  close  together,  and  built 
of  rough  boards,  a  little  damp  on  account  of  the  recent  rains,  but  still  in- 
flammable, and  easily  destroyed. 

We  hastily  told  Jack  of  the  threat,  and,  as  the  words  passed  our  lips,  he 
snatched  the  musket  from  my  hand,  took  a  hasty  aim,  and  fired  at  the 
greasers.  I  do  not  think  that  he  intended  to  hit  any  particular  person,  but, 
as  luck  was  on  his  side,  planted  the  charge  just  where  it  would  do  the  most 
good,  for  Don  Antonio  Sanchos  had  turned  for  the  moment  back  to  us,  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  some  instructions  to  his  men.  The  light  shot  entered 
below  his  sash,  and  the  fellow  clapped  his  hands  on  the  seat  of  his  panta- 
loons, uttered  a  yell  that  set  our  dog  to  howling,  jumped  more  than  two 
feet  in  the  air,  and  then  came  down  on  the  soft  sand,  and  blasphemed  like  a 
pirate. 

His  compadres  drew  back  in  surprise  and  consternation  as  they  wit- 
nessed the  antics  of  the  wounded  man.  None  of  them  wished  to  be  injured 
m  a  cause  that  was  not  likely  to  bring  them  pesos.  It  was  money  they  de- 
sired more  than  glory  or  hard  blows.  Shooting  was  all  very  well  as  long  as 
they  were  not  the  recipients  of  the  shot,  and,  while  they  were  willing  to  do 


Lewey  and  I.  91 


a  little  fighting,  and  much  thieving,  did  not  see  that  they  were  particularly 
interested  in  making  an  attack  on  a  hide-house,  that  was  barren  of  all  treas- 
ure except  a  few  hundred  queros,  and  those  were  of  no  use  to  men  who 
were  traveling  around  the  country,  restless  and  anxious. 

"  Gringo  of  the  devil,"  yelled  Sanchos,  as  soon  as  he  could  recover  his 
breath,  and  found  that  no  vital  part  was  injured,  "you  have  insulted  the 
State  in  my  person.  You  shall  suffer  for  this." 

"  You  and  your  State  be  blanked,"  retorted  the  Scotchman.  "  I  made  a 
good  line  shot,  and  can  do  the  same  any  day,"  then,  as  he  noticed  that  the 
Mexicans  still  looked  dissatisfied  with  the  treatment  their  leader  had  re- 
ceived, and  fearing  that  the  greisers  would  carry  out  their  threats  to  burn 
the  building,  the  Scotchman  put  his  hands  to  his  mouth,  speaking-trumpet 
fashion,  and  yelled,  — 

"  All  hands  ahoy.     Tumble  up  here,  and  help  douse  sail." 

The  cry  was  heard  all  over  the  beach,  and  understood.  The  masters  and 
gangs  of  the  several  hide-houses  had  resolved  to  come  to  our  assistance,  in 
case  of  necessity,  but  not  to  make  their  appearance  unless  they  were  called 
upon  in  earnest.  As  the  sailors  and  kanakas  poured  out  of  the  buildings, 
armed  with  hide-hooks,  clubs,  and  muskets,  they  presented  a  formidable 
appearance  to  men  who  were  only  provided  with  knives  and  spurs. 

"  Away,  boarders,  away,"  howled  Jack,  who  somehow  had  the  impression 
that  he  was  on  the  deck  of  a  frigate,  alongside  of  an  enemy,  and  been  or- 
dered to  head  a  boarding  party.  As  he  uttered  the  words  the  Scotchman 
flourished  his  cutlass,  struck  at  an  imaginary  enemy  with  a  one,  two,  three 
motion,  and  dashed  at  the  bewildered  greasers,  while  Lewey  the  kanaka 
and  myself  followed  our  leader,  clubbing  the  muskets,  and  prepared  to  do 
frightful  execution  on  the  heads  of  our  enemies. 

The  Mexicans  saw  the  formidable  crowd  advancing  in  their  rear  and 
front,  and,  alas  for  Don  Sanchos'  adherents,  they  were  not  capable  of 
standing  before  such  a  charge.  For  only  a  moment  did  they  hesitate,  then, 
turning,  fled  for  their  horses,  but  even  those  could  not  be  reached  with 
safety,  as  the  crews  of  the  other  hide-houses  cut  off  their  retreat,  so  there 
was  but  one  resource,  and  that  was  to  run,  and  they  did  scamper  along  the 
road  toward  San  Diego,  using  their  legs  as  they  never  had  been  used  be- 
fore, the  infuriated  Scotchman  following  close  in  the  rear,  with  our  dog  far 
in  advance,  and  snapping  at  every  heel  that  was  convenient  for  a  nip  from 
his  well-armed  jaws. 

We  were  all  mixed  up  in  the  chase.  The  guns  were  so  heavy  that  Lewey 
and  I  could  not  make  much  headway,  and,  therefore,  were  glad  when  the 


92  Lewey  and  I. 


old  sailor,  panting  with  his  unusual  exertions,  the  perspiration  streaming 
down  his  rugged  face,  called  a  halt,  and  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  hide- 
houses,  as  he  had  won  glory  enough  for  one  day,  in  his  own  estimation. 

We  saw  the  greasers  making  the  best  of  their  way  toward  the  town,  and 
stopped  for  a  while  to  see  if  they  were  disposed  to  return,  and  renew  the 
fight,  but,  as  they  did  not  do  so,  we  retraced  our  steps  homeward,  and  then 
Scotch  Jack  delivered  a  short  address,  in  which  he  said  that  the  battle  we 
had  engaged  in  was  equal  to  that  of  Waterloo,  and,  with  such  men  as  had 
backed  him  that  day,  he  could  overrun  the  whole  country.  We  cheered 
our  shipmate's  speech,  and  all  the  rest  joined  in. 

Then  Jack  said  if  he  had  a  bottle  of  aguardiente  he  would  treat  the 
crowd,  but  was  rather  disconcerted  when  an  old  fellow  wanted  to  know  how 
far  he  thought  one  bottle  of  rum  would  go  in  such  a  collection  of  warriors, 
who  had  n't  had  a  drop  of  spirits  for  a  week  ? 

However,  Lewey  and  I  saw  a  chance  for  popularity,  and  said  that  if  a 
messenger  was  found  we  would  send  up  to  town  for  a  gallon  of  spirits,  and 
pay  for  it  out  of  our  own  money,  and  three  cheers  were  given  for  the  propo- 
sition and  the  proposers,  and  a  kanaka  volunteered  to  start  immediately  for 
the  village,  armed  with  a  one-gallon  jug,  which  Jack  owned,  and  kept  for 
just  such  service. 

We  did  not  suppose  that  any  one  would  harm  the  kanaka,  as  he  was  a 
quiet  man,  and  never  interfered  with  other  people  unless  imposed  upon. 
The  result  justified  our  expectations,  for  the  native  of  the  Sandwich  Islands 
went  to  the  town,  and,  when  questioned  by  Sanchos'  gang,  said  that  every 
hide-curer  had  a  musket,  and  plenty  of  powder  and  balls,  and  were  deter- 
mined to  kill  all  who  visited  the  beach  in  a  war-like  manner.  This  was  a 
slight  flight  of  imagination  on  the  part  of  the  kanaka,  but  his  word  was  be- 
lieved, and,  as  Don  Sanchos  was  busy  having  fine  shot  picked  out  of  his 
person,  it  was  thought  best  to  let  us  alone  for  a  while,  or  until  a  surprise 
could  be  effected,  and  no  danger  incurred. 

We  turned  the  horses  loose,  —  those  that  had  been  left  behind  by  the 
visiting  Mexicans,  —  and  they  galloped  back  to  town  riderless,  and  were 
probably  secured  by  their  respective  owners. 

The  kanaka  returned  with  the  aguardiente  about  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, and,  from  his  appearance,  we  judged  that  he  had  sampled  the  liquor 
on  the  way  down  to  the  beach,  for  he  was  the  silliest  man  we  had  seen  for 
some  time.  He  could  do  nothing  but  grin  in  an  imbecile  manner,  and  stag- 
ger along,  first  on  one  side  o  the  road,  and  then  the  other,  arid  say,  — 

«  Me  fighte  greaser  any  day  he  like.     Blank  all  Mexicans,  and  love  good 


Lewey  and  I.  93 


boys  from  Boston,"  which  was  complimentary  to  my  nativity  and  to  me,  but 
was  purchased  at  the  expense  of  several  drinks. 

Scotch  Jack  was  so  indignant  he  wanted  to  try  the  messenger  by  court- 
martial,  and  sentence  him  to  the  chain-gang,  but  when  some  one  asked  him 
where  he  found  his  authority  for  doing  so,  the  blunt,  tough  eld  sailor 
replied,  — 

"  By  the  authority  of  right  and  might.  A  man  what  steals  a  shipmate's 
rum  is  too  mean  to  live.  See,  that  black  scamp  has  taken  half  a  dozen  tots 
out  of  the  jug,  and  what  good  has  it  done  him?  To  appreciate  liquor  the 
drinker  must  be  white." 

"  And  a  Scotchman,"  shouted  some  person  in  the  crowd,  but  no  one 
knew  who  uttered  the  words,  for  everybody  laughed,  and  that  made  Jack  so 
mad  he  wanted  to  fight  his  best  friends. 

"  I  've  shot  one  man  this  morning,  and  can  lick  half  a  dozen  this  after- 
noon, and  not  feel  tired,"  he  said.  "Who  slung  that  insult  at  my 
head  ? " 

There  was  a  deep  silence.  No  one  cared  to  answer,  for  Jack  was  a  hard 
man  when  aroused,  and  could  do  his  share  of  fighting  on  land  or  sea,  as  I 
had  good  reason  to  know,  when  he  knocked  Charley,  the  Dane,  out  of  time 
and  authority  in  the  forecastle,  one  morning  in  the  Admittance. 

"  I  'm  a  square  man,"  the  Scotchman  said,  finding  that  no  one  responded 
to  his  challenge,  "  and  I  'm  a  charitable  man.  I  'm  not  going  to  drink  all  of 
this  rum  myself." 

"  Oh,  no,"  in  mocking  tones  from  the  crowd,  who  appeared  to  have  their 
doubts  on  that  point.  But  Jack  went  on,  — 

"  Although  my  shipmates  paid  for  the  aguardiente  I  'm  no  hog.  They 
are  good  lads,  and  lets  me  do  what  I  pleases  with  it." 

We  did  not  remember  saying  anything  of  the  kind,  but  deemed  it  not 
prudent  to  contradict  such  a  general  statement,  for  reasons  which  were  per- 
fectly satisfactory.  We  owed  him  a  debt  of  gratitude,  and  were  glad  to  pay 
some  portion  of  it. 

"I  has  been  thinking  what  is  the  best  way  to  dispose  of  the  rum,"  Jack 
continued,  after  a  moment's  profound  thought. 

"  I  '11  bet  you  have  concluded  to  drink  it  yourself,"  one  old  fellow  re- 
sponded, and  then  every  one  laughed. 

Jack  wanted  to  get  mad,  but  thought  better  of  it,  as  the  speaker  had 
charge  of  a  rival  hide-house,  and  the  two  men  were  on  good  terms. 

"  Now,  boys,  what  does  you  say  to  a  good  tub  of  punch  this  evening  ?  " 
the  Scotchman  asked. 


94  Lewey  and  I. 


"  But  who  will  mix  it? "  some  one  demanded. 

"  I  will,"  was  the  old  sailor's  dignified  reply. 

"  Then  the  saints  help  us,  for  no  one  else  will  get  a  smell,"  a  man  re- 
marked, and  every  one  laughed. 

"  I  can  lick  you  in  two  minutes,"  Jack  cried  indignantly. 

"  Well,  you  won't,  for,  if  you  did,  I  should  n't  feel  like  having  any  of  that 
punch.  Let 's  take  the  rum  first,  and  the  lickin'  arterwards,  if  you  please," 
persisted  the  sailor,  whose  head  seemed  to  be  clear  on  that  point. 

"  I  '11  let  my  two  shipmates,  the  lads,  help  me  do  the  mixing,"  Jack  said 
at  length,  and  this  decision  seemed  to  please  every  one,  so  it  was  agreed 
that  seven  o'clock  was  the  proper  hour  for  the  drinking  to  commence,  and, 
with  this  understanding,  the  hide-house  people  separated,  while  Lewey  took 
charge  of  the  jug  of  rum,  and,  to  prevent  a  great  shrinkage  before  the  prop- 
er time  arrived,  locked  it  up  in  his  chest,  and  put  the  key  in  his  pocket. 

After  supper  we  procured  some  limes,  brown  sugar,  and  water,  a  pan 
that  had  done  duty  for  various  purposes,  but  was  clean  as  the  kanaka  cook 
could  make  it,  and  concocted  a  punch,  and,  after  Jack  had  sampled  it  sever- 
al times,  he  said  it  was  as  good  as  anything  could  be  that  had  so  much  wa- 
ter in  it,  and  yet  taste  of  rum.  As  far  as  he  was  concerned  he  did  not  like 
to  have  his  liquor  sweetened.  Pure  aguardiente  was  the  best  for  him,  and 
for  every  one,  but,  as  there  was  not  enough  to  go  around,  he  must  do  the 
best  he  could  by  the  aid  of  water. 

Our  friends  came  trooping  in  at  the  appointed  time,  and  each  man 
brought  a  tin  pot  and  a  chair,  as  our  establishment  could  not  boast  of  glasses 
or  seats  sufficient  for  all  hands.  Scotch  Jack  did  the  honors,  and  wel- 
comed every  one  with  that  quiet  geniality  which  he  could  so  well  assume 
when  good-natured. 

"  I  have  axed  you  all  here,"  he  said,  as  soon  as  the  company  was  seat- 
ed around  the  room,  ;t  to  take  a  drink  in  honor  of  the  way  we  licked  the 
greasers,  and  to  say  that  I  thanks  you  for  the  hand  you  lent  me  in  sendin' 
'em  off  to  the  town  in  a  hurry.  I  could  have  whacked  'em  alone,  single- 
handed,  but  I  a'n't  mean,  and  wanted  to  give  all  a  chance." 

Here  he  took  a  tin  pot,  bailed  out  a  liberal  supply  of  the  punch,  threw 
back  his  head,  and  allowed  the  liquor  to  course  down  his  throat  in  a  tantal- 
izing manner  to  the  observers. 

"  II:  you  keeps  on  that  way  there  won't  be  much  chance  for  us  at  the 
punch,  at  any  rate,"  one  of  the  rival  hide-house  keepers  muttered,  and 
there  was  a  murmur  of  assent  all  around  the  room  from  men  whose  mouths 
were  watering  for  a  taste  of  the  mixture. 


Lewey  and  I.  95 


"  Don't  you  be  in  such  a  blanked  hurry,"  cried  the  Scotchman.  "  I 
knows  what  politeness  is,  and  how  the  quality  does  the  business  when  ship- 
mates meet  for  a  social  glass.  We  is  going  to  have  toasts  and  sich  like. 
I  now  gives  you  the  first  regular  one.  Here  it  is.  Confusion  to  all 
greasers." 

He  put  the  tin  pot  to  his  mouth,  and  took  a  long  pull,  and  there  were 
deep  groans  from  all  the  company  present,  for  no  one  was  invited  to  second 
the  toast,  or  to  drink  to  it. 

Jack  did  not  appear  to  heed  the  ominous  growls.  His  thoughts  seemed 
to  be  on  other  and  more  interesting  matters.  He  looked  around  the  room, 
his  weather-beaten  face  all  aglow  with  the  hospitality  which  he  was  dis- 
pensing in  so  liberal  a  manner.  But  he  paid  no  attention  to  the  imploring 
looks  and  deep  frowns  of  his  audience. 

"  I  '11  now  give  you  the  second  regular  toast,"  the  Scotchman  continued, 
after  he  had  regained  his  breath,  and  then  dipped  his  tin  pot  into  the 
punch  once  more,  not  owning  a  ladle,  and  this  time  every  one  supposed  the 
liquor  was  to  be  passed  around,  and  their  eyes  were  full  of  anticipation,  and 
their  mouths  of  tobacco. 

"  We  has  all  heard,"  Jack  continued,  "  that  the  United  States  and  Mexi- 
co is  at  war.  We  don't  know  if  it  is  true.  If  it  is  true,  we  will  drink  to  the 
best  man,  and  may  he  win." 

He  swallowed  a  liberal  allowance  of  the  punch,  and,  as  the  pot  left  his 
lips,  gazed  around  at  the  mourners,  and  remarked,  in  a  mild  and  encourag- 
ing manner,  — 

"  We'll  now  give  three  cheers  for  the  States." 

No  one  responded  to  the  call.  The  company  were  too  indignant  to 
cheer  anything,  or  any  one,  but  more  than  a  dozen  old  salts  breathed  hard, 
and  looked  the  fight  which  they  felt.  As  for  the  kanakas,  they  chattered  in 
their  musical  tongue,  and  wondered  what  kind  of  a  party  the  white  sailor 
had  invited  them  to,  where  one  man  did  the  drinking,  and  all  the 
talking. 

"  You  don't  seem  to  like  that  toast,"  Jack  said,  after  a  moment's  reflection. 
"  You  act  a  little  backward  in  cheerin'  for  the  flag  under  which  you  have 
sailed  for  so  many  years,  and  eaten  the  bread  and  beef  when  it  has  been 
doled  out  to  you  in  full  rations,  and  no  minister's  faces  to  make  weight." 

"  Blank  yer  yarnin'  and  chinin',"  growled  a  sailor.  "  Give  us  a  chance 
at  the  grog-tub,  and  then  we  '11  cheer  fast  enough.  It  's  blanked  dry  work 
seem'  a  shipmate  do  all  the  swillin',  and  we  as  dry  as  an  old  hulk,  what  is 
laid  up  in  ordinary." 


Lewey  and  I. 


Jack  appeared  a  little  surprised  at  the  complaint.  In  an  absent-minded 
manner  he  dipped  his  tin  pot  into  the  punch,  tasted  it,  to  see  if  it  was  to 
his  satisfaction,  yet  did  not  seem  quite  suited,  as  he  muttered,  — 

"  I  told  the  lads  that  they  was  puttin'  in  too  much  water.  Ii  allers  spiles 
punch  to  add  water." 

"  Give  us  a  chance  to  see  what  it  is  like,"  one  man  said,  but  Jack  did  not 
choose  to  hear  him.  He  was  so  well  satisfied  with  himself  and  position 
that  he  appeared  not  to  catch  all  the  complimentary  remarks  which  were 
addressed  to  him  by  the  company.  Neither  did  he  seem  to  care  for  the 
ominous  growls  of  discontent  that  were  heard  on  all  sides  If  he  did  notice 
them  he  probably  imagined  that  they  were  laudatory  for  the  able  manner 
in  which  he  was  presiding  at  the  feast.  Lewey  and  I  were  anxious  to  in- 
terfere, and  distribute  the  contents  of  the  grog-tub  in  a  fair  and  impartial 
manner,  but  knew  that  if  we  interposed  Jack  would  become  angry  at  our 
intrusion,  and  use  hot  words.  We  needed  him  as  a  friend  just  at  that  time, 
and  had  no  wish  to  provoke  his  quick  temper,  which  we  expected  to  see 
break  out  before  the  evening's  festivities  closed. 

"  I  '11  now  give  you  the  third  regular  toast,"  the  Scotchman  said,  as  he 
filled  his  tin  pot,  "  and  I  'm  sure  all  will  jine  me  in  it  without  bein'  taken 
aback." 

"  We  might  all  be  taken  aback,  and  get  starn-way  on  us,  if  you  should  ax 
us  to  take  a  drop  of  that  'ere  blessed  punch,"  growled  the  master  of  the 
rival  hide-house. 

"  Patience,  mate,"  Jack  remarked,  "  All  in  good  time.  Don't  hurry  me, 
and  I  '11  do  more  work  than  if  I  had  an  officer  at  my  heels  all  day.  The 
next  toast  what  I  offers  you  is  "  — 

"  Blank  yer  toasts.  Give  us  the  drink,  and  keep  the  toasts  to  yerself," 
was  the  universal  growl,  but  the  Scotchman  did  not  notice  the  interruption. 
He  continued,  — 

"  I  gives  our  own  noble  selves,  and  with  three  cheers.  Now,  one,"  Jack 
yelled,  but  no  one  present  responded. 

He  went  through  the  programme,  and  then  dipped  out  another  liberal 
supply  of  punch,  and  his  hand  was  unsteady  as  he  performed  the  difficult 
job. 

"  I  will  now  sing  you  a  song,"  the  Scotchman  cried,  with  drunken  gravity, 
as  he  looked  around  the  row  of  scowling  faces.  "  It  is  one  of  Bobby  Burns' 
songs.  Ah,  what  a  poet  he  was.  Does  any  one  here  dare  to  say  that  Bob- 
by Burns  was  not  the  greatest  poet  what  ever  lived  ?  " 

As  but  few  present  had  any  acquaintance   with  the  Scotch  bard,  or,  in 


Lewey  and  /.  97 


fact,  knew  what  a  poet  was,  there  was  no  response  to  the  question,  al- 
though an  old  sailor  said  that  he  knew  the  ship  well,  and  had  sailed  in  her 
from  Glasgow  to  Hong  Kong,  one  voyage,  and  a  very  wet  vessel  she  was 
for'ard  when  there  was  a  chop-sea  on,  and  a  stiff  breeze  blowing. 

Jack  did  not  correct  the  misunderstanding,  even  if  he  heard  it.  He  took 
a  sip  of  punch  to  clear  his  throat,  and  then,  to  my  amusement,  commenced 
to  sing,  — 

"  Flow  gently,  sweet  Afton,  among  thy  green  braes." 

As  his  voice  was  cracked,  and  none  too  melodious,  the  long-suffering  pa- 
tience of  his  audience  was  exhausted.  What  between  a  refusal  to  allow 
them  a  chance  at  the  grog-tub,  a  call  for  three  cheers  every  few  minutes, 
when  they  did  not  feel  like  yelling,  harangues  that  interested  them  not,  it 
is  no  wonder  that  the  company  sprang  to  their  feet,  as  one  man,  and,  just 
as  the  Scotchman's  voice  gave  token  of  breaking  all  to  pieces,  while  his 
eyes  were  closed,  to  give  full  effect  to  his  song,  and  he  was  waving  the  tin 
pot  in  his  hand  for  the  purpose  of  emphasizing  the  tune  to  which  the  lines 
should  be  sung,  many  hands  grabbed  him,  he  was  lifted  up  bodily,  hustled 
from  the  room,  and  pitched  on  the  sand  in  front  of  the  door,  where  he  re- 
mained for  a  few  minutes,  too  astonished  to  make  a  remark,  or  to  compre- 
hend the  method  employed  to  get  him  out  of  the  house. 

Then,  like  a  pack  of  hungry  coyotes,  the  residents  of  the  beach  swooped 
down  on  the  grog-tub,  and  in  one  minute  there  was  not  a  spoonful  of  the 
punch  left,  and  all  the  company  filed  out  of  the  hide-house,  homeward  bound, 
while  Lewey  and  I  looked  at  each  other  in  amused  consternation  at  the 
scene  that  had  taken  place  before  us,  and  changed  so  quickly. 

From  our  wonderment  we  were  aroused  by  hearing;  Jack's  voice,  and  in- 
to the  house  he  crawled,  on  all  fours.  As  the  light  of  the  candles  struck 
his  head,  he  sat  up,  looked  around,  and  asked,  with  a  thick  tongue,  and 
drunken  grin,  — 

"Boys,  was  there  a  hearthquake  just  now,  or  what  was  the  matter  ?" 

We  helped  the  man  up,  laid  him  away  in  his  bunk,  and  the  kanaka  turned 
in,  and  both  were  soon  snoring,  but  the  room  was  so  warm  that  we  did  not 
feel  like  retiring  just  at  that  moment.  We  doused  the  lights,  filled  our 
pipes,  and  went  outside  to  have  a  quiet  smoke,  and  to  talk  over  our  future 
prospects,  for  they  did  not  look  any  too  bright  just  then,  and  once  more  we 
wished  ourselves  on  board  the  Admittance,  and  homeward  bound. 

We  sat  on  a  spar,  near  the  hide-house,  in  the  deep  shadow  of  the  build- 


98  Lewey  and  I. 


ing,  and  talked  for  a  long  time,  and,  just  as  we  had  knocked  the  ashes  from 
our  pipes,  and  thought  of  retiring  to  our  bunks,  two  dark  forms  stole  out 
of  the  chapparel,  and  came  toward  us.  They  did  not  notice  us  where  we 
sat,  so  we  kept  perfectly  still,  and  waited  to  see  what  the  visitors  desired, 
as  they  had  come  from  the  direction  of  the  town.  Jack,  our  dog,  was  in 
the  house,  fast  asleep,  or  he  would  have  given  an  alarm,  and  the  rest  of  the 
canines  were  off  on  the  hills,  making  lively  music  for  the  benefit  of  a  coy- 
ote that  had  ventured  too  near  the  beach,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  a  sup 
per  of  refuse  fat  and  scraps  of  hide. 

We  said  nothing,  but  waited.  The  men  stopped,  and  listened  for  a  mo- 
ment, but,  hearing  no  sound,  went  to  the  corner  of  the  house,  knelt  down, 
and  we  could  see  them  pile  some  dry  material,  which  they  had  brought  with 
them,  against  the  boards,  and  then  there  was  the  scratching  of  a  match, 
but  it  did  not  ignite  readily,  and  a  second  attempt  was  made. 

"  Dey  am  about  to  set  on  fire  de  buildin',''  whispered  Lewey.  "  Vot 
skall  vedo?" 

"  Bang  them  over  the  head  with  a  club,"  I  answered,  and  the  proposition 
just  suited  Lewey. 

At  our  feet  was  a  lot  of  fire-wood,  which  had  been  cut  at  odd  intervals, 
when  there  was  no  work  to  be  done  on  hides.  We  selected  heavy  sticks, 
crawled  on  our  hands  and  knees  toward  the  visitors,  for  we  suspected  they 
belonged  to  the  Sanchos'  gang,  and  were  to  secure  revenge  for  the  treat- 
ment they  had  received  during  the  forenoon. 

The  Mexicans  were  too  much  occupied  in  experimenting  with  matches  to 
notice  us.  In  fact,  one  of  them  uttered  a  strong  "  caramba  "  at  the  failure 
of  the  lucifer  to  blaze  up,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  boards  of  the  house 
were  a  little  damp  from  the  late  rains. 

"  Make  haste,"  one  of  the  Mexicans  said  in  a  half  whisper.  "  The  dogs 
will  return  in  a  short  time,  and  bark  their  heads  off  if  they  see  us,  and  then 
the  whole  colony  will  turn  out,  and  give  us  a  lively  chase  all  along  the 
road." 

"  No  fear,"  responded  the  other.  "  The  gringos  are  asleep,  and  nothing- 
will  disturb  them  until  morning.  If  we  knew  where  the  boys  slept  we 
would  make  short  work  of  them  with  our  knives." 

"  The  risk  would  be  too  great,"  the  other  answered.  "  We  might  stum- 
ble on  that  accursed  Scotchman.  His  fist  is  like  a  stone,  and  his  strength 
is  that  of  a  bull.  We  will  burn  the  shelter  of  the  accursed  heretics,  and 
then  they  will  be  at  our  mercy.  We  can  clean  out  the  whole  gang  after  the 
houses  are  gone." 


Lewey  and  /.  99 


Another  match  was  lighted,  flared  up,  and  we  saw  by  its  blaze  the  dark 
faces  of  Carlos  Sanchos  and  another  greaser,  whom  we  did  not  know.  The 
kindling  stuff  was  ignited,  and,  just  as  the  men  arose  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat, 
we  sprang  to  our  feet,  and  struck  the  fellows  two  heavy  blows  on  the  sides 
of  their  heads,  and  they  fell  as  i~  lightning  had  hit  them,  and  did  not  move, 
except  their  feet,  which  kicked  convulsively. 

"  I  am  afraid  that  we  have  killed  them,"  I  whispered  to  Lewey,  rather 
awed  at  the  crime  we  had  committed. 

"  So  much  de  better,"  was  the  cheerful  response.  "  Two  of  our  enemies 
out  of  de  vay,  at  any  rate,"  and  then  we  stamped  out  the  fire,  bent  down  and 
examined  the  bodies  of  the  insensible  men,  removed  their  long  knives  from 
the  sheaths,  and  went  to  arouse  Jack,  and  tell  him  what  had  happened. 

But  the  punch  had  such  an  influence  over  the  Scotchman,  that  all  he 
could  say  in  response  to  our  appeals  was  that  he  "  would  sing  just  one  more 
song,  and  then  take  a  drink,"  and,  pull  as  we  might,  there  was  no  getting 
him  to  realize  the  sense  of  danger  that  the  hide-house  had  been  in,  so  we 
gave  it  up  as  a  bad  job,  and  went  back  for  the  injured  greasers,  but  they  had 
disappeared  in  some  mysterious  manner,  and  left  no  traces  behind.  They 
had  recovered  from  the  blows,  which  were  not  as  bad  as  we  thought,  and 
left  the  premises.  We  called  our  dog,  and  put  him  on  the  trail,  and  he  fol- 
lowed it,  Lewey  and  I  close  to  his  heels,  until  he  came  to  a  lot  of  scrub  oak, 
and  there  we  saw  that  our  nocturnal  visitors  had  taken  their  horses,  tied  to 
the  trees,  and  gone  in  the  direction  of  San  Diego.  It  was  useless  to  at- 
tempt to  follow  them,  so  we  called  off  our  dog,  and  went  back  to  the  hide- 
house,  thinking  the  fellows'  heads  were  aching  too  badly  for  a  second  at- 
tempt to  fire  our  building  that  night,  and  we  were  correct  in  our  surmise, 
for  no  one  disturbed  us,  but  we  took  the  precautions  to  lock  the  outer  door, 
for  fear  some  villain  might  wander  in,  and  use  a  knife  on  our  persons,  re- 
membering what  one  of  the  greasers  had  said  on  the  subject. 

The  next  morning  Jack  had  but  a  hazy  remembrance  of  the  previous 
night's  doings.  He  knew  that  he  had  enjoyed  himself,  and  supposed  that 
every  one  had  done  the  same.  We  did  not  remind  him  of  his  scant  hospi- 
tality, his  attempts  to  sing,  or  even  of  the  indignant  rush  of  the  suffering 
people,  who  pitched  him  on  the  sand,  and  then  attacked  the  punch.  It 
would  have  done  no  good  to  recall  such  matters,  but  we  did  point  out  the 
place  where  the  Mexicans  had  attempted  to  fire  the  building,  and  showed 
the  long,  sharp  knives,  as  proof  of  our  assertion,  and  that  all  was  not  a 
dream. 

This   set   Jack   to  thinking,  and  he  called  around  at  the  various  hide- 


ioo  Lewey  and  I. 


houses,  and  proposed  that  an  anchor  watch  should  be  established  hereafter, 
to  guard  the  property,  and  the  project  was  adopted,  until  all  danger  was 
passed,  and  then  the  men  had  every  night  in,  as  usual. 

We  did  not  hear  from  the  Sanchos  gang  for  several  days,  and,  in  the 
meantime,  took  care  not  to  wander  from  the  protection  of  the  beach,  or 
even  to  go  gunning,  for  fear  of  a  surprise.  But  one  morning  Captain  Fitch 
rode  down  to  see  us,  and  stated  that  he  and  the  alcalda  had  received  papers 
from  General  Castro,  and  that  the  military  chieftain  sent  us  permits  to  re- 
main in  the  country,  and  do  as  we  pleased,  as  long  as  we  did  not  take  up 
arms  against  the  State.  This  so  disgusted  Sanchos  and  his  gang  that  all 
had  gone  to  the  Pueblo  los  Angeles,  and  taken  forty  or  fifty  military  re- 
cruits. We  were  now' free,  for  the  time  being,  from  any  molestation  on  his 
part,  but  we  were  advised  to  keep  at  a  distance  from  the  man,  as  he  was 
dangerous,  and  might  prove  more  troublesome  in  the  future. 

"  My  advice  to  you  now  is  to  ship  on  board  of  some  American  vessel  that 
is  on  the  coast,  and  get  away  from  here  as  soon  as  possible.  In  time  of 
war  no  one  will  be  safe  on  the  land.  Even  I  have  been  molested  several 
times  by  bands  of  greasers  calling  at  my  house,  and  asking  for  money. 
There  is  a  girl,  the  jailor's  daughter,  who  gives  me  no  peace,  she  is  so 
eager  to  know  where  you  two  boys  are  located.  She  says  one  or  both  of 
you  promised  to  marry  her.  It  is  wrong  to  trifle  with  the  affections  of 
young  ladies,"  and  he  grinned  as  he  spoke,  as  though  knowing  more  of  our 
doings  in  the  calabozo  than  he  was  disposed  to  tell. 

Lewey  blushed,  something  he  was  capable  of  doing  once  in  a  while,  as 
he  said,  — 

"  You  no  tell  her  ve  here.  She  is  one  good  girl,  but  ve  has  trouble 
enough  vidout  vomen  boderin'  us  just  now." 

"  Except  the  girls  you  desire  to  marry  ?  "  hinted  the  captain. 

"  Oh,  yes,  dem  ve  skall  dink  of  all  de  time,"  my  friend  said. 

"  Well,  think  of  them  as  much  as  you  please,  but  don't  marry  if  you  know 
what  is  good  for  your  future  welfare,"  then  the  captain,  seeing  no  signs  of 
approval  on  our  faces,  continued,  "  I  suppose  that  I  am  only  wasting  my 
time  in  talking  to  you  on  a  subject  that  you  have  set  your  minds  on.  I 
give  you  the  best  advice  that  I  am  capable  of  administering,  and  you  refuse 
to  take  it.  Some  day  you  will  think  of  all  that  I  have  said,  and  regret  that 
you  had  not  acted  a  little  more  sensibly.  However,  go  your  way,  and  re- 
member that,  if  you  get  in  a  hard  box,  you  have  a  friend  in  me  at  all  times, 
and  don't  forget  to  appeal  for  my  aid  if  necessary.  Here  are  the  papers 
from  General  Castro.  Take  good  care  of  them,  for  they  may  be  of  service 


Lewey  and  I.  101 


to  you,  in  case  some  Mexican  is  disposed  to  make  trouble,  as  armed  men 
are  riding  about  the  country.  But  your  safest  place  is  on  board  ship,  for 
the  vessels  on  the  coast  will  not  be  molested,  so  I  am  given  to  understand." 

Then  Captain  Fitch  produced  a  small  bag  of  gold,  and  counted  out 
fifteen  doubloons  for  Lewey,  and  the  like  amount  for  myself,  the  wages 
which  had  been  left  in  his  hands  by  Captain  Peterson,  when  we  were  dis- 
charged from  the  Admittance.  The  sum  looked  like  a  small  fortune  to  us, 
and  we  thought  that  we  could  see  many  months  of  happiness  and  idleness 
before  us  on  the  strength  of  the  amount. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  .that  it  is  just  as  well  you  should  keep  secret  the  fact 
that  you  possess  this  money.  Give  out  that  you  have  not  a  peso  in  the 
world,  for  there  are  lots  of  greasers  who  would  cut  your  throats  for  a  tenth 
part  of  a  gold  piece,  and  think  they  had  committed  no  crime.  If  you  go 
through  the  country  beg  your  way,  and  return  courtesies  with  profuse 
thanks,  but  give  no  silver  in  exchange,  so  shall  you  escape  some  of  the  dan- 
gers of  California.  I  am  talking  to  you  now  just  as  though  you  were  my 
own  boys,  for  I  know  that  each  of  you  must  have  relatives  and  friends  at 
home  who  would  thank  me  for  my  advice,  if  they  knew  you  needed  it  as 
badly  as  you  do  just  at  present." 

We  were  quite  affected  at  his  words,  and  I  was  more  than  half  inclined 
to  promise  all  that  the  gentleman  desired,  but  a  glance  at  Lewey's  face  pre- 
vented me.  He  had  made  up  his  mind  to  carry  out  the  programme  marked 
down  months  before,  and  I  was  weak  enough  to  acquiesce  in  his  decision. 

It  would  have  been  better  for  both  of  us  if  we  had  listened  with  more  at- 
tention, and  weighed  well  his  words,  and  let  the  girls  we  thought  we  loved 
so  well  go  in  search  of  other  husbands.  The  captain  was  a  man  of  experi- 
ence in  the  little  world  in  which  he  lived,  and  knew  the  Mexican  character 
most  thoroughly.  He  was  familiar  with  their  good  qualities,  and  all  of 
their  bad  ones,  and  so  moved  along  in  the  society  in  which  he  was  thrown 
almost  without  a  jar,  making  money  out  of  those  who  desired  to  borrow, 
and  taking  his  interest  of  twelve  per  cent,  and  sometimes  a  little  more, 
when  the  security  was  doubtful,  with  charming  frankness  and  good-nature, 
as  men  who  loan  money  generally  do.  The  principal  was  never  paid,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  for  the  fascinating  game  of  monte  was  more  attractive  to 
the  average  Mexican  than  the  payment  of  debts,  and  so,  as  years  rolled  on, 
the  captain  grew  richer,  and  the  natives  of  the  State  poorer,  and  the  more 
poverty-stricken  the  latter  became  the  greater  their  pride  and  arrogance, 
and  the  more  urgent  their  entreaties  for  fresh  loans,  on  estates  already  en- 
cumbered with  mortgages. 


102  Lewey  and  I. 


"  I  will  send  you  a  few  notes  of  introduction  to  various  parties  on  the 
coast,  and  in  the  interior,"  the  captain  said,  after  he  had  waited  for  us  to 
digest  his  words, -and  saw  that  he  had  not  produced  the  effect  intended. 
"  They  may  be  of  use  to  you.  At  any  rate  they  can  do  no  harm.  In  them 
I  shall  state  the  reason  why  you  were  discharged  from  your  ship,  and  your 
desire  to  become  rancheros,  or  cattle-raisers.  Without  such  papers  the 
Americans  at  the  Pueblo,  Santa  Barbara,  and  other  places  might  think  you 
were  deserters,  and  so  turn  the  cold  shoulder  to  you  when  there  was  need 
of  their  assistance.  You  must  not  expect  that  every  American  or  English- 
man on  the  coast  will  receive  you  with  open  arms,  for  they  won't.  If  you 
are  asked  to  dine  with  them,  it  may  be  in  the  kitchen  where  your  food  will 
be  served,  and  not  in  the  best  room  in  the  house,  for  we  have  an  aristocra- 
cy here  as  well  as  in  other  countries,  and  the  line  is  drawn  at  sailors. 
I  know,"  the  captain  added  hastily,  seeing  that  we  wera  inclined  to  inter- 
rupt him,  "  what  you  would  say.  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  but  that 
you  are  as  good,  and  belong  to  as  respectable  families  as  any  on  the  coast, 
but  you  have  served  as  sailor  boys  on  vessels,  and  that  cuts  you  off  from 
all  acquaintance  with  the  better  classes  of  the  State." 

"  But  if  ve  skall  rise  up,  and  become  rich.  Den  vot  vill  dey  say  to  us  ?  " 
asked  Lewey. 

"  When  you  arrive  at  that  position  you  will  be  able  to  answer  the  ques- 
tion to  your  entire  satisfaction,  and  need  no  help  from  me,"  was  the  gentle- 
man's reply. 

Some  years  after,  a  French  corvette,  of  thirty  guns,  anchored  in  San 
Diego  harbor,  and  all  the  officers  were  welcomed  and  made  much  of  by  the 
elite  of  the  town.  Among  those  who  strove  to  make  the  French  gentlemen 
content  was  Captain  Fitch.  He  gave  a  grand  soiree  at  his  house  to  the 
commander  of  the  corvette  and  the  officers,  and,  while  drinking  toasts,  took 
occasion  to  compliment  the  master  of  the  man-of-war  on  his  excellent  Eng- 
lish. The  latter  smiled,  as  he  turned  to  the  host  and  said,  in  our 
tongue,  — 

"Do  you  dink  dat  I  could  be  admitted  to  any  of  de  houses  in  dis  country 
on  a  perfect  equality  you  know  ? " 

"  Most  certainly.  Why  should  you  not  be  ?  Your  rank  will  cause  all  to 
pay  the  most  marked  respect  to  a  gentleman  like  yourself,"  Mr.  Fitch 
answered. 

"But  s'pose  I  should  inform  you  dat  at  one  time  I  vas  only  a  sailor  boy 
on  a  vessel  under  de  American  flag  ? "  the  captain  of  the  French  ship-of-war 
continued. 


Lewey  and  /.  103 


"  That  would  make  no  difference  to  us  in  this  State,"  Mr.  Fitch  respond- 
ed. "We  judge  a  man  by  his  merits  alone." 

"  But  if  I  should  further  inform  you  dat  I  vos  vonce  a  prisoner  in  your 
calabozo,  den  vot  vould  you  say  ?  "  asked  the  French  gentleman,  with  a 
smile,  as  he  thought  of  other  days,  and  glanced  around  the  room  in  which 
he  was  seated,  surrounded  by  all  the  handsome  ladies  of  San  Diego,  and 
influential  gentlemen. 

"  I  should  think  that  your  excellency  was  joking  with  me  for  some  pur- 
pose," Captain  Fitch  replied. 

"  But  I  is  not  joking.  I  is  very  serious.  I  comes  in  dis  port  jist  to  see 
de  old  place  some  more.  Vill  you  believes  me  vhen  I  tells  you  dat  in  dis 
bery  room  I  vonce,  in  company  vid  a  bery  bad  American  boy,  mine  fast 
friend  den,  my  best  of  friends  now,  gives  vhat  ve  calls  a  performance  of 
legerdemain,  for  de  amusement  of  you  and  your  guests  ?" 

"  Impossible,"  Captain  Fitch  cried.  "  I  do  not  recollect  the  circum- 
stance. You  must  be  poking  fun  at  me,  for  some  purpose  or  other." 

"  Listen  to  me,"  the  French  gentleman  remarked,  in  a  calm  tone.  "  One 
day,  some  years  ago,  vhen  mine  friend  and  mineself  vas  at  de  hide-house, 
on  de  beach,  you  ask  us  to  gib  de  performance  for  de  fun  of  your  friends, 
and  you  tells  us  ve  can  hab  de  supper  in  one  room  by  ourselves,  but  ve  can- 
not eat  at  de  same  table  vid  your  guests.  Dat  did  not  hurt  our  feelings, 
'cos  ve  cared  more  for  de  viands  dan  ve  did  for  de  company.  Ven  de  per- 
formance vas  about  vot  you  call  ober,  von  Mexican  greaser,  named  San- 
chos,  entered  de  apartment,  and  arrest  mine  friend  Thorn,  and  take  him  to 
de  calabozo,  on  de  charge  of  being  a  spy.  You  no  recollect  de  ding 
now  ? " 

Captain  Fitch  was  astonished,  and  well  he  might  be,  at  the  singular  tide 
of  fortune  that  had  carried  Lewey  from  a  hide-house  to  the  quarter-deck 
of  a  French  ship-of-war.  The  circumstance  all  came  back  to  the  gentle- 
man, and  for  a  moment  there  was  much  astonishment  to  see  the  Frenchman 
and  the  former  American  rise  from  their  places  at  the  table,  shake  hands 
with  great  eagerness  and  cordiality,  and  then  stand  and  look  at  each  other 
for  a  long  time,  their  hearts  too  full  for  the  words  that  wanted  to  flow,  but 
did  not,  on  account  of  gladness  and  surprise.  The  two  men  could  not  real- 
ize the  great  change  that  had  occurred  in  their  positions  in  life,  and  the^cap- 
tain  of  the  ship-of  war,  as  he  wiped  away  the  moisture  from  his  eyes,  was 
heard  to  mutter,  — 

"  I  'd  gib  one  dousand  dollars  if  Thorn  vas  here  on  dis  occasion  to  take 
part  in  it,  and  I  knows  dat  he  vould  gib  anuder  dousand  for  de  chance." 


IO4  Lewey  and  I. 


Then  Captain  Fitch,  when  he  could  recover  his  breath,  and  get  over  his 
astonishment,  told  the  wonderful  story  of  our  experiences  in  San  Diego,  to 
his  Mexican  and  American  friends  present,  and  Lewey,  in  the  French  lan- 
guage, related  his  exploits  as  a  legerdemainist,  not  only  at  Captain  Fitch's 
but  at  Monterey,  and,  to  judge  from  the  laughter  of  the  naval  officers,  my 
old  friend  must  have  said  some  funny  things,  but  I  hope  he  told  the  truth 
about  me,  and  took  his  share  of  the  blame,  where  the  latter  came  in,  espec- 
ially all  that  related  to  the  firey  serpent. 

I  have  since  been  told  by  the  French  naval  officer,  and  those  who  were 
with  him  on  that  memorable  day,  that  there  was  more  champagne  drunk  at 
the  feast  than  was  ever  known  before  or  since,  and,  when  all  hands  were  as 
full  as  possible,  Captain  Fitch  proposed  that  the  whole  company  should 
march  through  the  streets,  and  visit  the  calabozo,  a  suggestion  that  was  re- 
ceived with  cheers,  and,  arm  in  arm,  Mexican  and  Frenchman,  ladies  and 
caballeros,  the  party  passed  along  the  calles,  and  visited  the  prison,  and  the 
only  unpleasant  incident  that  occurred  was  when  a  dry,  black,  wrinkled 
woman  threw  herself  into  the  French  captain's  arms,  and  called  him  her 
treasure,  and  a  bad  man  at  the  same  time.  It  was  the  jailor's  daughter, 
married,  and  the  mother  of  six  children.  The  host  had  privately  sent  her 
a  dollar,  and  instructions  what  to  do,  and  the  right  time  to  make  the  dem- 
onstration, the  most  laughable  episode  of  the  day,  for  even  the  ladies  pres- 
ent screamed  with  delight  at  the  spectacle  of  a  naval  captain,  in  full  uni- 
form, being  embraced  by  a  half-naked  Mexican  woman.  Justice  to  Lewey 
compels  me  to  state  that  he  treated  the  whole  matter  as  a  good  joke,  al- 
though he  swore  by  all  the  saints  in  the  calender,  that  he  had  never  seen 
the  woman  before,  made  love  to  her,  or  promised  to  marry  her,  and  that 
she  had  mistaken  him  for  some  other  person,  and  meanly  hinted  that  I  was 
the  man,  but  no  one  believed  him,  I  hope. 

Lewey  gave  the  female,  after  he  had  extricated  himself  from  her  embrace, 
a  twenty-dollar  gold  piece,  sent  her  from  the  ship  some  jewelry,  a  few 
gaudy  shawls  and  handkerchiefs,  but  never  sought  a  second  interview. 
Thus  do  the  loves  of  our  younger  days  pass  from  our  minds,  and  lie  buried 
in  the  grave  of  youthful  fancies,  and,  when  I  think  of  the  matter,  I  am  in- 
clined to  the  opinion  that  Lewey's  graveyard  of  affairs  of  the  heart  must  be 
well  stocked  with  broken  hopes  and  forgotten  protestations  of  eternal  fideli- 
ty on  his  part. 

But  all  this  is  foreign  to  the  fact  that  we  were  seated  at  a  table  in  our 
hide-house,  and  listening  to  the  kind  words  of  Captain  Fitch,  who  promised 
us  letters  of  recommendation  to  his  friends,  and,  when  he  had  taken  his 


Lewey  and  L 


leave,  we  made  up  our  minds  to  make  the  journey  overland  to  Ranche 
Refugio,  where  we  hoped  to  join  Anita  and  Engracia,  and  with  them  we 
thought  our  trials  and  troubles  might  cease,  and  that  happiness  would 
shine  on  our  heads  every  day  of  our  lives,  or  as  long  as  we  resided  in  Cal- 
ifornia, which  might  be  for  years,  or  only  a  few  months.  How  much  we 
were  mistaken  in  the  life  we  were  to  lead  will  be  revealed  as  this  yarn 
progresses,  for  who  could  have  imagined  the  trying  scenes  through  which 
we  must  pass,  the  hardships  we  were  to  endure,  the  dangers  to  be  encoun- 
tered, the  cruel  enemies  we  must  face  and  defeat,  the  warm  friends  we 
were  to  meet,  who  protected  and  sheltered  us  so  that  at  last  we  escaped  with 
our  lives,  and  thus  lived  to  rejoin  our  relatives  at  some  distant  day,  older, 
wiser,  and  better  young  men. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PREPARATIONS  FOR  A  LONG  JOURNEY.  —  FAREWELL  TO  SAN  DIEGO.  — 
EN  ROUTE  TO  RANCHE  REFUGI  ).  —  A  VAQUERO  AND  BULL.  —  THE 
LONELY  ADOBE  HOUSE,  AND  A  PRAIRIE-FLOWER.  —  THE  MOUNTAIN 
LION.  —  LEWEY  IS  AGAIN  IN  LOVE.  —  AN  INTERRUPTION  TO  A  MID- 
NIGHT COURTSHIP.  —  THE  THREAT.  —  WILD  INDIANS  ON  THE  TRAIL. 

WE  were  in  no  hurry  to  start  on  our  long  and  dangerous  journey  to 
Ranche  Refugio,  for  it  was  the  winter  season,  and  sometimes  the 
rain  fell  in  torrents,  so  we  knew  the  streams  would  be  swollen,  and  danger- 
ous to  cross.  We  had  thought  of  obtaining  passage  in  a  sailing  vessel 
bound  up  the  coast,  but  none  entered  the  harbor  for  several  weeks,  most  of 
the  ships  being  at  San  Francisco,  lying  there  for  security,  while  the  north- 
west and  southwest  gales  prevailed.  One  bark,  the  Don  Quixote,  came  to 
an  anchor  at  San  Diego,  and  loaded  with  tallow  for  Callao.  We  could  have 
shipped  on  board  of  her,  and  were  urged  to  do  so  by  the  master,  but  Lewey 
had  set  his  heart  on  being  married,  and  I  could  not  bear  to  disappoint  his 
sanguine  anticipations,  and  so  the  chance  passed  away. 

At  one  time  we  thought  of  taking  an  otter -hunter's  boat,  and  skirt  along 
the  coast,  landing  at  night  for  shelter,  but  the  people  to  whom 
we  spoke  on  the  subject,  men  who  knew  just  what  we  would  have  to  en- 
counter, protested  against  the  scheme  as  being  too  dangerous  and  impracti- 
cable in  the  winter  season,  when  gales  were  frequent,  and  the  surf  fearful. 
They  said  we  might  be  capsized,  or  driven  to  sea,  in  a  sudden  squall,  before 
we  could  make  a  landing,  and  that  no  boat  could  live  in  such  waves  as 
were  prevalent  between  San  Diego  and  Santa  Barbara. 

Jack  was  in  no  hurry  for  us  to  leave  the  shelter  of  the  hide-house.  He  was 
accustomed  to  our  society,  and  knew  that  he  would  miss  us  when  we  took 
our  departure  for  good.  He  talked  to  us  with  all  the  seriousness  of  a 


Lewey  and  I.  107 


father  on  the  unwise  course  we  had  marked  out,  and  declared  that  no  good 
would  come  of  it,  he  was  sure.  We  were  welcome  to  remain  with  him  as 
long  as  we  desired,  and  do  no  work  unless  it  suited  us.  But  all  his  argu- 
ments were  lost,  and  at  last  he  spared  his  breath,  as  he  saw  that  no  im- 
pression was  made  on  our  plans. 

It  was  rarely  that  we  heard  from  the  North.  Once  in  a  while  a  courier 
would  arrive  with  despatches  for  the  alcalda,  but  no  battles  were  reported, 
excepting  a  few  slight  skirmishes  with  Captain  Fremont  and  his  explorers, 
on  the  shores  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  or  the  banks  of  the  Sacramento  River. 
But  it  was  stated  that  General  Castro  had  the  Americans  just  where  he 
wanted  them,  and  that  the  whole  gang  of  invaders  would  soon  be  captured. 
We  did  not  think  there  was  much  probability  of  a  long  struggle,  as  we 
hoped  the  Californians  would  remain  neutral  during  the  war,  as  Captain 
Graham,  of  Santa  Cruz,  advised,  and  so  we  went  on  with  our  preparations 
for  departure,  just  as  though  the  country  was  at  peace. 

We  had  much  to  do  before  we  commenced  our  journey,  and  many  things 
to  pick  up.  We  found  at  one  of  the  hide-houses  two  light  rifles,  which 
some  trappers  had  left  there  years  before,  and  never  called  for.  They  were 
in  good  order,  and  needed  only  a  little  oil  to  work  perfectly.  With  them 
were  bullet  moulds  and  powder  flasks.  There  was  no  trouble  in  securing 
caps  and  ammunition  at  the  town,  so  that  in  this  respect  our  equipment  was 
complete.  We  purchased  the  rifles  for  the  sum  of  ten  dollars,  and  the  sell- 
er thought  he  got  a  good  price  for  the  guns,  as  he  never  used  them,  prefer- 
ring the  old-fashioned  ship's  musket  to  any  other  firearm  that  was  ever  in- 
vented. Then  we  hunted  up,  by  the  aid  of  friends  at  San  Diego,  two  pairs 
of  small  pistols,  not  of  much  use,  except  at  close  quarters,  but,  as  they 
were  light,  we  thought  it  desirable  to  possess  them.  We  made  straps  to 
sling  our  rifles  over  our  shoulders  when  traveling,  some  strong  belts  to 
wear  around  our  waists,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  our  gold  pieces,  and 
bags  of  canvas  to  hold  our  discharge  papers,  the  permits  from  General 
Castro,  and  letters  of  recommendation  of  Captain  Fitch,  addressed  to  peo- 
ple along  the  route. 

Our  next  business  was  to  seek  to  purchase  two  mustangs  and  saddles,  and 
this  we  were  enabled  to  do,  yet  horses  were  cheap,  and  saddles  dear.  But 
our  friend,  the  captain,  had  some  old  second-hand  equipments,  which  he 
had  taken  for  debts  from  drunken  greasers,  years  before,  and  he  let  us 
have  them  at  a  cheap  rate,  lariats  and  all.  We  exercised  our  animals 
every  day,  after  we  obtained  possession,  and  thus  got  accustomed  to  their 
ways,  and  enured  ourselves  to  the  use  of  the  saddle.  At  night  we  would 


io8  Lewey  and  I. 


let  our  horses  feed  on  the  grass  near  the  hide-houses,  or,  rather,  just  back 
of  them,  for  the  country  was  then  brilliant  with  a  green  covering,  and  the 
flowers  were  in  full  bloom  in  every  direction,  or  where  the  sand  was  not  too 
dense  for  them  to  obtain  a  little  nourishment. 

We  were  in  high  spirits  over  our  anticipated  excursion,  as  we  thought  of 
the  pleasures  of  riding  through  the  country,  and  seeing  its  wonders,  camp- 
ing when  we  pleased,  and  moving  on  when  it  suited  our  convenience,  our 
own  masters,  and  under  no  one's  control.  But  Scotch  Jack  was  dissatisfied 
with  all  of  our  arrangements,  and  uttered  ominous  growls  of  warning  as  to 
the  hardships  we  might  have  to  encounter,  for  he  had  a  much  greater  ap- 
preciation of  the  difficulties  of  the  journey  than  we  did. 

It  was  near  the  first  of  April  when  all  of  our  arrangements  were  com- 
pleted, and  we  were  ready  for  the  journey.  The  steady,  heavy  rains  had 
ceased,  but  there  were  occasional  showers  night  and  morning.  The  whole 
country  was  verdant,  and  filled  with  the  perfume  of  thousands  of  strange 
and  brilliant-hued  flowers.  The  gales  had  degenerated  into  soft  breezes, 
that  came  from  the  north  and  west,  invigorating  and  healthy.  The  lungs 
seemed  to  expand  under  their  influence,  and  we  could  bathe  in  the  morning 
in  the  salt  waters  of  the  bay,  stand  on  the  soft  sand,  and  inhale  the  delic- 
ious atmosphere,  then  go  back  to  the  hide-house,  and  create  consternation 
in  the  mind  of  the  kanaka  cook  at  our  desperate  attack  on  the  fried  beef- 
steaks and  coffee. 

The  night  before  we  were  to  leave,  in  consideration  of  the  kindness  we 
had  received  from  every  one  on  the  beach,  we  resolved  to  give  a  farewell 
party  to  our  old  friends.  We  readily  obtained  Jack's  consent  to  the  pro- 
ject, only  stipulating  that,  as  we  were  to  be  the  hosts,  it  was  necessary  he 
should  not  boss  operations,  as  he  had  done  on  one  memorable  occasion, 
and  drank  nearly  all  the  punch  before  the  indignant  guests  rose  up,  and 
smote  him  to  the  right  and  left,  and  then  deposited  him  on  the  cool  sand, 
as  a  warning  against  further  exhibitions  of  selfishness. 

It  was  some  time  before  we  could  get  the  Scotchman  to  promise  that  he 
would  not  interfere,  but  we  had  to  consent  to  his  petition  for  permission  to 
make  a  speech,  and  sing  one  of  Burns'  songs.  When  this  was  arranged  all 
the  rest  was  clear  work.  We  went  around  to  the  hide-houses,  and  person- 
ally invited  the  sailors  and  kanakas.  All  reluctantly  agreed  to  come,  al- 
though the  keeper  of  the  rival  establishment  said  he  'd  be  blanked  if  he  was 
going  to  any  more  shindies  where  one  man  did  all  the  talking  and  drinking, 
and  gave  no  one  else  a  chance  at  the  grog-tub. 

"  But  this  time,"  we  pleaded,  "Jack  will  not  have  the  serving  out  of  the 


Lewey  and  I.  109 


punch.  He  will  be  anchored  in  a  chair  like  the  rest  of  you,  and  we  '11  see 
that  you  have  your  full  share  when  the  mainbrace  is  spliced,  if  you  will 
only  come." 

"You  don't  know  that  Scotchman  as  well  as  me,"  the  hide-house  keeper 
said.  "  When  it  comes  to  drinkin'  and  fightin'  he  wants  more  than  his 
share.  Howsomever,  bein'  as  it  is  you,  and  'cos  you  is  about  to  up  anchor, 
and  sail  away  for  foreign  parts,  I  don't  mind  if  I  comes  over  for  a  little 
while  this  evenin',  just  to  see  the  boys,  and  help  along  the  fun." 

We  sent  up  to  San  Diego  for  two  gallons  of  aguardiente  and  some  lem- 
ons, but  took  the  precaution  of  despatching  a  different  messenger  from  the 
kanaka  we  had  previously  entrusted  with  such  a  delicate  duty,  but  it  made 
no  difference,  the  English  sailor,  who  was  called  upon  to  go,  getting  more 
than  half  drunk  on  the  way  to  the  beach,  so  our  package  suffered  a  little  de- 
pletion on  its  passage  to  the  owners. 

Jack  was  indignant  at  such  rank  treachery,  and  swore  tha.t  there  was  not 
a  person  on  the  shore  who  was  fit  to  be  trusted  with  rum,  excepting  him- 
self, and  that  the  next  time  an  entertainment  was  given  he  would  do  the 
errand,  and  then  all  could  depend  upon  him. 

When  Lewey  heard  this  remark  he  winked  very  seriously,  but  uttered 
never  a  word,  for  we  knew  that  Jack  had  no  fear  of  rum,  and  would  attack 
it  every  time  there  was  a  chance  for  an  encounter,  and  yet  he  was  thrown 
by  his  enemy  just  as  often  as  they  came  to  close  quarters.  But  the  Scotch- 
man never  knew  when  he  was  vanquished,  and  still  fought  on,  against  des- 
perate odds. 

We  made  a  nice  punch,  arid  at  seven  o'clock  our  friends  had  all  assem- 
bled at  the  hide-house,  bringing  tin  pots  and  chairs.  Their  eyes  glistened  as 
they  fell  upon  the  grog-tub,  but  all  were  patient,  even  if  uneasy  glances 
were  cast  upon  Jack,  as  if  fearful  that  he  might  disappoint  them  at  the  last 
moment,  and  go  in  for  more  than  his  share  of  punch. 

But  Jack  behaved  very  well,  all  things  considered,  and,  after  we  had 
given  each  person  a  liberal  supply  of  liquor,  and  all  had  tasted  and  ap- 
proved, lighted  their  pipes,  and  prepared  to  listen,  I  stepped  to  the  table, 
and  made  a  short  speech. 

"  Messmates  and  shipmates,"  I  said,  "  we  are  about  to  break  ground,  up 
anchor,  and  sail  for  other  parts.  Before  we  square  away,  and  shape  our 
course,  let  me,  in  behalf  of  Lewey  and  myself,  return  thanks  for  the  sailor- 
like  treatment  we  have  received  at  your  hands." 

"Three  cheers  for  the  lads,"  roared  Jack,  and  they  were  given  with  a 
will,  and  then  all  held  out  their  tin  pots  for  a  further  supply  of  punch. 


no  Lewey  and  I. 


We  complied  with  the  mute,  but  significant  appeal,  and  I  continued  my 
address. 

"  When  we  were  threatened  with  arrest  by  a  gang  of  land-lubber  greasers 
you  stepped  to  the  front,  and  drove  the  scoundrels  to  their  dens.  We  shall 
never  forget  it,  and  hope  some  day  to  again  see  you,  and  to  once  more  fill 
the  grog  tub  at  our  expense.  " 

There  was  a  roar  of  applause,  and,  at  its  conclusion,  Jack  sprang  to  his 
feet,  and  replied  to  my  speech. 

He  said  that  he  was  an  old  man,  and  had  knocked  about  the  world  for 
fifty-five  years.  He  had  served  in  line-of-battle  ships,  frigates,  and  in  mer- 
chantmen, and  he  wanted  it  understood  that  better  shipmates  he  had  never 
fell  in  with  than  Lewey  and  myself.  We  reminded  him  of  one  of  Burns' 
songs,  which  he  could  not  remember  very  well,  but  would  try  and  sing  it 
for  the  gratification  of  the  company  present,  if  any  one  desired  him,  and 
forthwith,  without  waiting  for  a  vote  on  the  subject,  commenced  howling 
the  old  song,  — 

"  A  man  's  a  man  for  a*  that," 

but  the  noise  and  confusion  was  so  great  that  we  could  not  see  the  con- 
nection between  the  song  and  ourselves,  and,  after  Jack  had  yelled  himself 
into  an  intense  state  of  perspiration  and  thirst,  there  were  loud  calls  for 
more  punch,  and  thunders  of  applause  for  the  song. 

We  did  not  drink  any  of  the  mixture  except  once,  in  response  to  a  toast 
honorable  to  ourselves,  and  to  show  that  we  were  not  too  proud  to  share  in 
the  fun  of  the  people  on  the  beach.  Had  we  refused  fo  partake  of  a  glass, 
in  company  with  our  guests,  there  would  have  been  strong  mutterings  of 
discontent,  and  this  we  desired  to  avoid,  wishing  to  leave  a  good  impres- 
sion behind  after  we  were  gone. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  punch  was  entirely  consumed,  and  wistful  glances 
cast  around  the  room  for  more.  No  person  was  intoxicated,  but  all  had 
enough  for  one  evening  at  least,  and,  when  some  of  the  kanakas  commenced 
to  yawn,  and  Jack  proposed  to  sing  another  song,  the  people  stole  quietly 
out  of  the  room,  and  sought  the  seclusion  of  their  own  quarters  for  the 
night. 

The  Scotchman  looked  around  in  a  dazed  sort  of  manner,  as  though  won- 
dering why  men  should  be  so  lacking  in  good  taste,  then  blanked  some 
one's  eyes  to  his  heart's  content,  and  went  to  bed,  while  we  cleared  up  the 
room,  gave  it  a  good  airing,  and  turned  in  also,  thinking  of  what  kind  of  a 
place  we  should  find  to  sleep  in  the  next  night,  when  on  our  journey. 


Lewey  and  I.  1 1 1 


The  following  day  was  bright  and  pleasant.  We  were  up  at  an  early 
hour,  had  a  good  swim,  fed  our  horses  with  a  little  barley,  packed  our  blan- 
kets, dressed  in  full  suits  of  Mexican  clothes,  —  sombrero  and  leggings, 
spurs  and  knives,  —  and,  after  breakfast,  saddled  our  animals,  and  then  pre- 
pared to  take  leave  of  our  old  shipmate. 

"  You  know,  boys,"  the  Scotchman  said,  as  his  voice  grew  husky,  and 
his  eye  s  moist,  "  that  I  is  agin  the  whole  thing.  But  you  is  bound  to  go, 
and  so  that 's  the  end  of  it.  But  if  you  wants  to  come  back  your  old  bunks 
is  ready  for  you  at  any  time,  and  you  will  always  find  a  friend  in  Scotch 
Jack." 

"  We  know  it,  old  shipmate,"  we  answered,  "  and  perhaps  we  may  return 
sooner  than  you  expect.  We  shall  leave  all  of  our  effects  here,  —  chests 
and  bedding,  —  and  if  you  never  hear  from  us  consider  the  property  your 
own.  Use  it  just  as  you  please.  We  make  you  our  heir-at-law." 

"  I  don't  care  so  much  for  the  dunnage,  lads,  as  I  do  for  you,"  was  the 
answer.  "  Come  back  to  me,  and  the  chests  may  go  to  blankation.  But," 
and  here  the  thoughtfulness  and  prudence  of  the  Scot  came  in  play,  "  jist 
you  put  them  sentiments  of  yours  in  writin',  and  then  everythin'  will  be 
shipshape  in  case  anythin'  should  happen  to  you." 

We  readily  complied  with  the  request.  We  drew  up  papers,  stating  that 
Jack  was  to  inherit  all  of  our  property,  in  case  of  death,  and  called  in  the 
master  of  the  rival  hide-house  to  witness  our  signatures,  and,  after  that  duty 
was  performed,  the  question  arose,  for  the  first  time,  what  we  should  do 
with  our  dog  Jack.  The  animal  knew  that  we  were  making  preparations 
for  departure,  and  he  was  restless  and  anxious,  for  fear  he  would  be  left  be- 
hind. He  moved  about  the  house,  around  it,  and  then  returned  and  looked 
in  our  faces,  as  if  he  desired  to  speak,  and  express  his  sentiments,  if  he 
was  to  be  deserted.  In  this  respect  he  was  almost  human,  and  his  bright 
black  eyes  pleaded  for  consideration  at  our  hands,  as  dog  never  did  before, 
it  seemed  to  us. 

"  Vot  skall  ve  do  vid  him  ?"  Lewey  asked.  "  Vill  ve  takes  him,  or  leaves 
him  here  vid  our  friend  ?" 

"  I  '11  look  arter  him,  lads,  if  you  desire  me  to  do  so,"  the  Scotchman 
said,  but  the  dog  did  not  notice  the  kindness  expressed.  He  whined,  and 
gazed  at  us  in  a  pitiful  way,  and  almost  barked  his  head  off,  as  I  re- 
marked, — 

"  He  will  be  lots  of  company  for  us,  and  a  good  lookout  nights,  when  we 
camp  out.  Yes,  let  us  take  old  Jack  with  us." 

The  dog  uttered  a  series  of  joyful  yelps,  and  made  frantic  efforts  to  reach 


1 12  Lewey  and  I. 


my  face,  so  that  he  could  slobber  kisses  upon  it,  and,  when  he  found  that  I 
was  not  inclined  for  such  demonstrations  of  affection,  turned  his  attention 
to  Lewey,  and  the  French  lad  received  his  full  share  of  Jack's  expressions 
of  delight. 

So  it  was  settled,  and  then  we  packed  up  in  a  bag  a  stock  ol  pilot  bread, 
some  sugar  and  coffee,  tin  pots,  salt,  and  a  huge  piece  of  old  junk,  all 
boiled,  and  ready  for  consumption,  in  case  we  should  not  encounter  a 
ranche  during  a  day's  journey  After  we  had  stowed  all  the  articles  on  our 
horses,  the  members  of  the  various  hide-houses  gathered  around,  and  in- 
sisted upon  shaking  hands,  and,  as  soon  as  we  had  done  so,  the  Scotchman 
called  out  for  three  cheers,  and  they  were  given  with  a  will,  and  then  we 
mounted  our  impatient  mustangs,  ambled  down  the  road,  and  the  last  words 
we  heard  from  the  people  was  the  fatherly  advice  of  the  master  of  the  rival 
hide-house,  as  he  yelled  out,  — 

"  Boys,  don't  you  marry  no  greasers,  or  have  anything  to  do  with  'em. 
They  is  pizen." 

We  waved  back  a  recognition  of  the  intended  kindness,  and  then  we  were 
loping  along  at  a  slow  gait,  and  the  dog  was  nearly  crazy  at  the  prospect  of 
a  journey.  If  he  had  known  all  he  was  to  encounter  it  is  quite  probable  he 
might  have  been  disposed  to  remain  on  the  beach,  and  live  in  idleness,  the 
king  of  the  whole  tribe  of  dogs,  being  the  best  fighter  of  the  lot,  and  there 
were  some  good  ones. 

We  knew  something  of  the  trail  that  led  to  Los  Angeles,  as  we  had  made 
careful  inquiries  of  couriers  and  vaqueros  who  had  crossed  the  plains  and 
mountains  in  summer  and  winter,  and  they  had  told  us  how  to  proceed  by 
the  shortest  possible  route.  They  said  that  the  passage  through  the  can- 
yons of  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains  was  the  worst  part  of  the  journey,  and 
that  in  some  places  we  would  have  to  dismount,  and  lead  our  horses,  as  the 
trail  was  too  difficult  to  ride.  We  were  also  advised  to  keep  a  sharp  look- 
out for  grisly  bears,  and  mountain  lions,  and  to  shun  both  if  possible,  as  a 
fight  with  either  would  not  add  to  our  renown  in  case  of  defeat.  Of  game 
there  was  an  abundance,  such  as  rabbits,  deer,  and  quail,  with  an  occasion- 
al rattlesnake  thrown  in,  by  the  way  of  variety.  We  needed  no  words  on 
the  part  of  the  couriers  to  avoid  the  latter  on  all  occasions.  We  had  seen 
quite  enough  to  satisfy  our  curiosity  while  in  California.  There  was  no 
danger  of  starving  if  we  could  shoot  with  some  degree  of  accuracy,  or  had 
hooks  for  catching  fish,  as  all  the  streams  were  filled  with  trout,  and  no  one 
but  the  Indians  ever  molested  them. 

This  last  information  had  been  timely  enough  to   enable  us  to  provide 


Lewey  and  /.  113 


lines  and  hooks,  in  case  we  should  find  occasion  to  use  them  on  the  jour- 
ney, and  we  hoped  that  such  would  be  the  case,  for  we  did  not  mean  to 
travel  rapidly,  as  time  was  no  object  with  us,  thinking  that  our  fiancees  could 
wait  a  few  days,  more  or  less,  for  us,  and  not  be  rendered  uncomfortable, 
as  wedding  trousseaux,  with  girls  of  their  position  in  society,  were  not  ex- 
tensive or  costly.  An  overskirt  and  one  under-garment  being  all  that  was 
required,  as  a  general  thing. 

"  Dis,"  said  Lewey,  as  we  struck  the  trail,  and  headed  North,  leaving  the 
sleepy  little  town  of  San  Diego  in  the  rear,  "  is  de  sublimest  of  happiness 
Now  ve  is  free,  and  de  vorld  is  afore  us.  Ve  is  our  own  masters.  I  could 
shout  vid  joy." 

I  did  n't  feel  so  excited,  for,  the  truth  was,  I  saw  the  dangers  and  trials  of 
our  journey  much  more  vividly  before  us  than  my  friend,  whose  happy  na- 
ture was  like  mercury  in  a  glass,  —  constantly  going  up  and  down,  and  rare- 
ly stationary  for  any  length  of  time. 

"  If  we  should  meet  with  a  grisly  bear,  Lewey,"  I  asked,  "  you  would  not 
attack  it,  I  hope  ?  " 

"  Vould  n't  I  ? "  was  the  indignant  answer.  "  Vy,  Jack  and  me 
could  knock  de  vust  bear  in  California  end  for  end,  and  dink  nothin' 
of  it." 

I  harbored  doubts  on  ;he  subject,  but  did  not  express  them,  as  I  knew 
that  Lewey  had  made  up  his  mind  what  he  could  do,  and  only  reality  would 
convince  him  to  the  contrary,  and  so  we  loped  along  the  narrow  trail,  in- 
dulging in  conversation  when  in  the  mood,  and  walking  our  horses  as  soon 
as  they  showed  the  slightest  signs  of  warmth. 

We  left  the  last  hacienda,  a  farm-house,  where  there  were  ten  thousand 
cattle  grazing  near,  all  looking  up  at  us  in  a  strange,  wild  manner,  and  so 
threatening  were  their  movements,  because  Jack  had  invaded  their  retreat, 
—  they  did  not  like  his  looks,  thinking  he  was  a  strolling  coyote,  —  that  to 
save  him  from  violence,  and  ourselves  from  a  desperate  charge,  I  dis- 
mounted, and  took  the  dog  on  the  pummel  of  my  saddle,  where  he  clung 
quite  contentedly,  as  if  he  was  aware  of  my  kindness,  and  could  appreciate  it. 

The  cattle  were  too  much  accustomed  to  horsemen  to  care  for  us,  yet 
they  knew  we  were  strangers  to  that  part  of  the  country,  and  one  lordly  old 
bull,  that  had  seen  many  a  conflict,  and  beaten  the  young  males  time  and 
time  again,  uttered  an  angry  bellow,  and  moved  slowly  toward  us,  as  if  on 
an  investigation. 

"Ve  must  quicken  de  pace,"  said  Lewey,  "or  de  blanked  bull  vill  be 
afoul  of  us,  and  carry  avay  our  spars." 


ii4  Lewey  and  I. 


This  was  his  nautical  manner  of  expressing  fear  that  the  bull  would 
knock  us  over,  in  case  he  should  use  his  horns  in  desperate  earnestness. 

Just  as  we  were  about  to  touch  our  horses  with  the  spurs,  out  from  the 
high  chapparel  and  tall  grass,  on  the  side  of  the  trail,  burst  a  wild-looking 
ranchero,  with  long  black  hair,  two-thirds  Indian  and  the  balance  poor 
Mexican  blood,  mounted  on  a  splendid  mustang,  that  was  quivering  with 
life  and  excitement,  under  the  stimulant  of  a  pair  of  cart-wheel  spurs,  which 
jingled  as  the  fellow  rode  toward  us,  circling  a  lariat  around  his  head,  and 
uttering  fiendish  shouts,  whether  of  welcome  or  defiance  we  could  not 
tell. 

'  Prenez  garde,"  whispered  Lewey,  forgetting  his  English  for  the  mo- 
ment, and  we  would  have  halted,  and  awaited  the  approach  of  the  vaquero, 
to  see  what  his  intentions  were,  but  that  confounded  bull  was  near  the 
heels  of  our  horses,  and  we  did  not  care  to  encounter  the  horns  of  the 
animal. 

We  unslung  our  rifles,  and  laid  them  across  our  saddles,  all  ready  for  use, 
in  case  there  was  danger  in  that  whirling  lariat,  but,  whether  the  half-breed 
saw  the  motion,  or  did  not  intend  any  demonstrations  except  those  of  a 
friendly  nature,  he  swept  past  us  like  a  whirlwind,  and  brought  the  reata 
down  upon  the  rump  of  the  angry  bull,  beating  him  until  he  changed  his 
course,  and  was  glad  to  seek  shelter  among  the  members  of  his  harem. 

It  was  all  done  so  quickly,  and  so  easily,  that  we  could  not  prevent  a  loud 
exclamation  of  approval. 

"  Bueno,  senor,"  we  shouted,  and  the  fellow  grinned,  and  curled  up  his 
lariat  on  the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  then  removed  his  sombrero,  and  saluted 
us  with  the  grace  and  politeness  of  a  prince  of  the  royal  blood  of  most  any 
kingdom  you  might  happen  to  think  of. 

"  Buenos  dias,  senors,"  the  ranchero  said,  as  he  advanced,  and  reined  up 
alongside  of  us.  "  The  bull  is  apt  to  be  troublesome  to  strangers,  but  a 
few  blows  on  his  flanks  are  enough  to  teach  him  a  lesson  for  a  short  time. 
If  it  had  not  been  for  your  dog  he  would  have  failed  to  notice  you." 

We  returned  his  salutation,  and  re-slung  our  rifles  over  our  shoulders, 
as  we  saw  that  he  had  no  evil  intentions  respecting  ourselves.  We  also 
thanked  the  man  for  his  services,  not  that  there  was  much  danger,  for  we 
could  have  easily  kept  out  of  the  animal's  way  by  spurring  our  steeds  to 
full  speed. 

"Where  are  you  from?  and  what  is  the  latest  news?"  the  stranger 
asked. 

"  We  left  San  Diego  thi^  morning,  and  are  bound  for  Los  Angeles," 


Lewey  and  I.  115 


was  our  answer.  "There  is  no  news  in  town,  except  that  queros  are  a  lit- 
tle dearer,  and  tallow  is  firmer,"  giving  him  news  that  we  hoped  would 
please  him. 

'•  That  is  good,"  he  said.  "  I  shall  kill  many  cattle  this  spring,  and  I  'd 
like  to  get  much  money  for  the  hides  and  tallow.  Is  there  any  news  of  the 
war  ?  I  hear  that  there  is  trouble  between  Mexico  and  the  States.  Do 
you  know  anything  of  the  matter  ?  " 

"  Only  rumors,"  was  our  ready  answer.  "  We  trust  the  cloud  will  soon 
blow  over.  Mexico  is  a  great  nation,  and  her  people  are  very  brave.  She 
can  afford  to  be  magnanimous  toward  the  United  States." 

"  Si,  senor,  it  is  true,"  and  the  man's  face  was  expressive  of  pleasure  at 
the  compliment.  "  Is  either  of  you  senors  an  Americano  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no,"  was  Lewey's  ready  response.  "  We  are  both  French,  and  like 
California  so  well  that  we  expect  to  remain  here  all  of  our  days." 

"  That  is  bueno,"  the  ranchero  said.*  "  But,  as  you  are  traveling  through 
the  country,  of  course  you  have  papers  from  the  authorities  permitting  you 
to  do  so.  If  not  too  much  trouble  I  should  like  to  see  your  documents.  I 
have  been  told  to  be  on  the  lookout  for  all  who  journey  to  and  fro." 

"There  is  a  paper  from  the  alcalda  of  San  Diego,"  Lewey  remarked, 
"  asking  aid  for  us  in  case  we  need  it.  Read,  if  you  please,"  and  the  doc- 
ument was  handed  to  the  ranchero,  who  looked  it  all  over,  even  to  the  seal 
of  the  official,  but,  as  he  could  not  comprehend  a  word  that  was  written  on 
the  paper,  it  was  passed  back  to  us  in  a  grand  and  dignified  manner,  just  as 
if  the  half-breed  was  an  intelligent  scholar.  Any  piece  of  writing  would 
have  answered  as  well,  as  far  as  the  vaquero  was  concerned.  A  written 
document  was  a  mystery  in  his  eyes,  and  yet  he  would  not  let  us  know  that 
he  was  incapable  of  understanding  all  that  passed  his  examination. 

"The  paper  is  correct,  senors,'* the  Mexican  said.  "  Pardon  me  for  ask- 
ing for  it.  I  wish  that  you  had  time  to  go  to  the  casa,  and  partake  of 
refreshments." 

We  shook  our  heads,  and  intimated  that  we  had  not  the  time,  and  hoped 
to  see  him  some  other  day. 

"  Then  perhaps  the  senors  have  a  piece  of  tobacco  that  they  can  spare  ? " 
asked  the  ranchero,  in  a  polite  tone,  and  with  a  profound  bow. 

We  had  a  good  stock  on  hand  for  our  pipes,  but  did  not  let  the  fellow  see 
all  that  we  possessed,  as  we  feared  it  might  excite  his  cupidity,  so  we  cut  a 
large  piece  from  a  hand,  and  the  man  was  just  as  well  satisfied  as  if  we  had 
given  him  a.  pound. 

We  asked  about  our  route,  and  were  told   to  follow  the  trail,  that  we 


n6  Lewey  and  I. 


should  find  an  abundance  of  water  at  the  various  springs,  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountains,  and  were  advised  to  avoid  large  herds  of  cattle,  if  possible,  or 
else  keep  our  dog  out  of  sight,  as  the  animals  did  not  like  perros,  as  a  gen- 
eral thing.  Then  we  waved  our  hands,  and  said  "  Adios,"  and  separated, 
first  depositing  Jack  on  the  ground,  to  his  great  delight,  as  the  bullocks 
were  some  distance  from  us,  and  no  longer  paying  the  least  attention  to 
our  party. 

"A  very  courteous  ranchero,"  I  said,  as  we  rode  along,  and,  looking 
back,  waved  our  sombreros  at  the  stranger,  who  returned  the  salute,  and 
then  disappeared  in  the  chapparel. 

"  So  courteous  dat  de  scamp  vould  hab  cut  our  throats  for  de  tobacco  vot 
ve  hab  vid  us,  if  ve  had  not  been  armed,"  Lewey  remarked,  with  a  sneer  at 
my  estimation  of  character.  "You  don't  know  de  greasers  yet,  and  you 
von't  till  you  is  dead." 

"  At  least  it  was  lucky  that  we  had  our  papers  to  show  him,"  I 
remarked. 

"  Vot  good  did  dat  do  ? "  was  the  question.  "  He  cannot  read  or  vite, 
and  anyding  vid  de  letters  on  'em  answer  for  him.  If  he  had  vanted  to 
fight  I  was  all  prepared  for  him,"  which  was  quite  true,  but  still  I 
was  glad  that  Lewey's  great  readiness  in  killing  people  was  not 
tested,  for  I  did  not  think  it  pleasant  to  shoot  Mexicans,  and  ride  off 
laughing  at  the  feat. 

"  You  noticed,"  said  my  friend,  "  dat  I  stated  ve  vas  both  French.  I 
does  dat  'cos  de  Americanos  is  not  in  de  good  oder  jist  at  dis  time.  But  de 
Frenchman,  he  respected  eberywhere,  for  de  France  is  a  great  nation,  and 
all  love  him." 

As  his  impudence  was  so  sublime  I  let  it  go  unchecked,  but  readily 
agreed  that  I  would  pass  as  a  countryman  of  his  where  we  deemed  it  ad- 
visable to  conceal  my  nationality. 

About  twelve  o'clock  we  came  to  a  spring  of  running  water  located  near 
some  trees,  at  the  foot  of  a  high  hill,  where  the  pasturage  was  good.  Here 
we  determined  to  halt  foi  a  time,  eat  our  dinners,  and  feed  our  horses.  We 
unsaddled  the  beasts,  and  piquetted  them  by  the  aid  of  lariats,  so  they  could 
not  return  to  the  town,  and  then  built  a  fire,  made  a  pot  of  coffee,  and  ate 
some  of  the  salt  beef  and  pilot  bread  we  had  brought  with  us.  Not  a  house 
or  a  human  being  was  in  sight.  We  were  in  one  of  the  wilds  of  California, 
yet  better  land,  or  a  finer  location  for  a  farm,  could  not  have  been  found  in 
the  whole  State,  as  the  grass  was  rich  and  luxuriant,  and  the  water  supply 
ample,  at  that  season  of  the  year.  I  suppose  all  that  portion  of  territory  is 


Lewey  and  I.  117 


now  cultivated,  and  covered  with  fields  of  grain,  and  orchards  of  oranges, 
fi^s,  and  lemons,  and  vineyards  of  grapes.  But  the  solitude  was  oppressive 
at  that  time,  and,  after  we  had  smoked  our  pipes,  and  rested,  we  were  glad 
to  once  more  resume  our  journey  in  search  of  pleasanter  places. 

As  we  rode  away,  still  following  the  trail,  we  saw  a  number  of  deer  on 
one  of  the  hills,  and  seemingly  indifferent  to  our  presence.  Lewey  wanted 
to  have  a  shot  at  one  of  them,  but  I  coaxed  him  to  let  them  alone,  as  we 
did  not  need  food,  and  could  not  very  well  carry  a  carcass  to  our  next  halt- 
ing place.  I  told  him  we  should  have  plenty  of  chances  to  get  all  the  deer 
we  desired,  if  he  would  only  have  patience,  and,  for  a  wonder,  he  acquiesced 
in  my  views,  and  saved  his  powder  and  shot. 

The  sun  was  warm,  but  a  fresh  breeze  was  blowing  from  the  high  moun- 
tains, seen  in  the  far  distance,  and  we  loped  on  at  an  easy  pace,  so  that  we 
would  not  tire  our  horses  and  Jack,  although  the  latter  displayed  no  sign  of 
fatigue,  but  bounded  along  cheerfully,  smelling  of  every  suspicious  bush,  or 
high  chapparel,  always  on  the  watch  for  game,  or  something  that  wanted  a 
little  brush,  in  the  shape  of  a  fight.  He  looked  upon  the  journey  as  a  pic- 
nic, gotten  up  for  his  especial  benefit,  and,  when  we  drew  rein,  and  walked 
our  horses,  glanced  up  at  us,  his  eyes  expressing  the  fun  that  he  was  hav- 
ing in  our  company.  Once  in  a  while  he  saw  a  sneaking  coyote  or  deer, 
and,  ambitious  of  renown,  started  off  in  chase,  as  if  confident  of  overtaking 
all  that  he  pursued,  but  a  sharp  whistle  or  word  brought  him  back,  wagging 
his  tail,  as  if  to  tell  us  that  it  was  only  his  fun,  and  he  did  not  mean  any- 
thing by  it.  He  seemed  aware  that  it  was  wrong,  and  would  do  so  no  more, 
yet  forgot  his  good  resolutions  in  ten  minutes,  and  would  rush  with  angry 
growls  for  something  that  was  more  fleet  of  foot  than  himself. 

As  the  day  declined  we  began  to  look  for  a  place  to  camp  for  the  night, 
where  there  was  water  and  wood,  but,  when  we  had  climbed  a  hill,  and 
gazed  down  in  the  valley  below,  saw  an  adobe  house,  and  smoke  in  front  of 
it,  and  a  woman  bending  over  a  fire. 

"  Dere  am  de  blessed  signs  of  civilization,"  said  Lewey  "  A  voman  and 
a  petticoat.  De  one  goes  vid  de  udder.  Alons,  mon  ami,  ve  is  in  de  luck 
all  de  time.  Ve  skall  hab  a  place  to  stop  for  de  night.  Let  me  speak  to 
her  de  fust,  'cos  you  has  not  de  perlite  vays  of  de  great  French  nation,  you 
know." 

We  descended  the  hill  at  a  walk,  as  we  did  not  wish  to  be  too  abrupt  in 
calling  on  strangers,  and,  as  we  approached  the  house,  the  woman  heard 
the  footsteps  of  our  horses,  looked  up,  and  then  darted  into  the  building, 
and  banged  too  the  door,  as  she  happened  to  own  one.  That  was  a  sure 


n8  Lewey  and  I. 


signal  she  was  afraid  of  us,  or  doubted  the  honesty  of  our  intentions  in  thus 
intruding  on  her  privacy. 

A  cur  came  bounding  around  the  corner  of  the  house,  —  a  cross  between 
a  coyote  and  a  sheep-dog,  —  and  made  a  dash  at  Jack,  but  our  game  little 
animal  uttered  a  growl  of  defiance,  seized  the  canine  by  his  neck,  gave 
him  one  rough  shake,  and  then  the  stranger  uttered  a  howl  of  regret  that  he 
had  made  such  an  attack,  put  his  tail  between  his  legs,  and  ran  away,  and, 
when  at  a  safe  distance,  stopped  and  barked  at  us.  He  imagined  for  a  mo- 
ment that  a  mountain  lion  had  been  encountered  by  mistake. 

We  dismounted  from  our  horses,  tied  them  to  a  post  near  the  doorway, 
and  then  Lewey  opened  a  conversation  with  the  female  of  the  house,  en- 
deavoring, in  his  usual  seductive  way,  to  assure  her  that  we  had  no  evil 
intentions. 

"  Senorita,"  he  cried,  as  he  pounded  on  the  door,  "  we  are  amigos.  You 
need  not  fear  us.  We  intend  no  harm.  We  are  strangers,  and  have  lost 
our  way." 

There  was  no  response  to  this  touching  appeal,  and  Lewey  looked  a  little 
discouraged,  but  still  did  not  relinquish  all  hope  that  he  might  induce  the 
woman  to  communicate  with  him.  * " 

"  Will  you  not  speak  to  us  ?  "  the  French  lad  exclaimed.  "  We  are  trav- 
elers, and  the  best  of  Catholics,  and  respect  women  next  to  the  saints,"  and 
still  the  lady  of  the  house  showed  no  signs  of  relenting,  and,  just  as  my 
friend  was  about  to  tempt  her  with  some  more  pretty  words,  we  heard  the 
sharp  click  of  a  gun-lock,  and,  glancing  around,  saw  that  we  were  covered 
by  a  musket,  enormous  in  its  proportions,  as  far  as  length  and  bore  were 
concerned,  and  at  the  stock  of  the  gun  was  a  villainous-looking  face,  and 
the  uncombed,  long  hair  of  a  dark,  dirty,  tall,  lank,  wrinkled,  half-breed 
greaser. 

"  Vamous,"  said  the  owner  of  the  gun,  a  flint-lock  concern,  that  would 
carry  about  half  a  pound  of  buckshot,  and  powder  in  proportion,  and,  con- 
found the  fellow,  he  held  the  musket  perfectly  steady,  and  covered  us  in 
such  a  manner  that  one  of  us  would  have  been  blown  all  to  pieces  had  the 
man  fired  in  our  direction. 

Jack  made  a  motion  to  rush  on  the  Mexican,  and  give  him  a  sample  of 
his  jaws,  but  we  called  to  the  dog,  and  forced  him  to  lie  down,  and  wait  for 
fresh  negotiations. 

"  Amigo,"  said  Lewey,  who  would  not  show  the  slightest  fear,  although  I 
have  no  doubt  he  felt  a  little  tribulation  in  the  presence  of  that  awful  blun- 
derbuss, "put  up  your  gun,  and  join  us  in  a  friendly  smoke.  We  have  some 


Lewey  and  I.  119 


nice    cigarettes,    and    know    that    a    caballero    like    yourself    will  enjoy 
them." 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  asked  the  greaser,  apparently  willing  to  listen  to  rea- 
son, for  he  removed  the  gun  from  his  shoulder,  and  the  scowl  left  his 
face. 

"  We  are  travelers  on  our  way  to  Los  Angeles,  and  would  stop  here  to- 
night, if  it  please  you  and  the  lady  of  the  house." 

"  You  are  not  agents  of  the  government  then  ?  You  do  not  come  here  to 
spy  out  my  possessions  so  that  a  tax  can  be  laid  on  them  "  asked  the 
Mexican. 

"  No ;  we  are  gringos,  and  you  have  nothing  to  fear  from  us,"  was  Lew- 
ey's  ready  answer. 

"  What  country  do  you  belong  to  ?  You  are  not  Mexicans.  That  I  can 
tell  by  your  words,"  the  half-breed  said,  as  he  grounded  the  stock  ot  his  for- 
midable gun,  and  took  a  step  forward. 

"  We  are  Francia  marineros,  and  traveling  through  the  country  for  the 
sake  of  seeing  it.  We  have  no  money,  but  a  little  tobacco,  and  a  gentle- 
man like  yourself  shall  share  it." 

"  Where  is  Francia?  "  asked  the  greaser.  "  I  have  heard  of  Americano 
and  Inglaterra,  but  no  other  country,  except  Mexico,  the  powerful." 

"  France,"  cried  the  indignant  Lewey,  "  is  the  greatest  country  in  the 
world,  and  has  more  soldiers  and  ships  than  there  are  cattle  upon  your 
plains.  It  is  the  land  of  the  great  Napoleon." 

"  Never  heard  of  him,"  was  the  reply.  "  Was  he  a  ranchero  ?  Did  he 
own  many  horses  and  cattle  ?  " 

For  a  moment  Lewey  was  speechless  with  astonishment  and  disgust. 
He  had  to  lean  against  the  hitching-post  for  support,  and  his  breathing  was 
laborious,  as  he  looked  at  me  in  a  mute  appeal  for  help  to  find  words  where- 
in he  couid  express  his  consternation  that  there  lived  a  man,  forty  years  of 
age,  or  more,  who  had  never  heard  of  the  deeds  and  battles  of  the  "  Great 
Napoleon." 

"  Napoleon,"  I  said,  coming  to  the  relief  of  my  friend,  in  a  timely  man- 
ner, "  owned  many  horses  and  mules,  and,  when  the  latter  turned  on  him, 
the  great  man  vamoused  the  ranche." 

"  Now  you  dink  dat  is  funny,  don't  you  ?  "  asked  my  French  friend,  in  a 
low  tone,  for  we  did  not  care  to  let  the  Mexican  hear  us  speak  English. 

I  did  not  answer  the  question,  for  the  owner  of  the  premises  laid  his  gun 
one  side,  touched  his  broad,  stiff-brimmed  sombrero,  and  said,  with  the 
grace  which  even  a  beggar  of  Spanish  descent  can  assume,  — 


120  Lewey  and  I. 


"  You  are  welcome,  senors.  Such  as  the  house  affords  is  at  your  dispos- 
al. All  that  1  possess  is  yours,  to  do  with  as  you  please.  Stay  as  long  as 
you  wish,  and  return  when  you  desire.  The  door  will  always  be  open  for 
my  friends.  And  now  I  will  try  one  of  your  cigarettes,  if  you  have  no 
objections." 

We  gave  him  several.  He  lighted  one,  and  smoked  away  with  evident 
relish,  while  we  proceeded  to  unsaddle  our  horses,  and  to  stow  our  blankets 
and  traps  in  an  adobe  store-room,  where  there  was  barley  in  bags,  hens  and 
hides,  and  such  odds  and  ends  as  a  man  who  is  isolated  from  all  civilization 
would  be  likely  to  accumulate  in  the  course  of  many  years.  The  Mexican 
did  not  offer  to  lend  us  a  helping  hand.  It  was  none  of  his  business  how 
guests  arrived  or  departed.  He  furnished  shelter,  and  such  food  as  he  was 
able  to  procure,  but  the  labor  of  removing  saddles,  or  putting  them  on 
horses,  was  something  he  did  not  care  to  incur.  It  was  not  the  custom  of 
the  country,  unless  the  host  kept  half  a  dozen  vaqueros  in  his  employ,  to 
look  after  cattle,  and  perform  odd  jobs  of  work. 

We  piquetted  our  mustangs  where  the  grass  was  good,  and  then  returned 
to  the  Mexican,  still  squatting  near  the  fire,  and  throwing  his  whole  soul 
into  th^  enjoyment  of  smoking,  so  it  was  evident  he  had  not  tasted  tobacco 
for  many  a  day. 

"  Senor,"  I  said,  as  we  joined  him,  "  do  you  not  think  that  you  had  better 
allay  the  fears  of  the  lady  of  the  house  ?  We  noticed  that  she  fled  at  our 
approach,  and  perhaps  she  will  be  pleased  to  learn  that  we  are  friends  and 
not  enemies.  Her  anxiety  must  be  intense." 

"Diablo,"  he  answered.  "I  had  forgotten  the  women.  They  passed 
from  my  mind  like  the  smoke  from  my  nostrils.  I  will  call  them," and  then 
he  raised  his  voice,  and  shouted,  so  that  all  could  hear  him,  "  Senora 
Juana,  Senorita  Florencia,  come  forth.  We  have  friends  here  who  will  be 
glad  to  see  you." 

The  door  was  unbarred,  after  a  moment's  hesitation,  and  then  a  dirty- 
looking,  half-breed  woman,  without  shoes,  feet  that  were  hard  and  dry,  and 
stiff  with  dirt,  clothed  in  a  skirt  and  under-garment,  came  out  of  the  house, 
and  saluted  us  with  a  half-shy,  half-sullen  glance,  as  though  she  was  not 
prepared  to  welcome  or  repudiate  us  until  better  acquainted. 

We  knew  the  customs  of  the  country,  also  the  weaknesses  of  its  women, 
and,  when  we  saw  that  we  were  not  greatly  admired,  I  arose,  removed  my 
hat,  and  proffered  the  senora  a  bunch  of  cigarettes,  with  the  request  that 
she  would  take  them  as  a  token  of  our  appreciation  and  respect. 

The  frown  left  her  brow,  and  a  more  agreeable  expression  took  its  place. 


Lewey  and  I.  121 


She  lighted  one  of  the  cigars,  and  joined  us  in  a  quiet  smoke,  but  the  eyes 
of  her  husband  were  fixed  on  that  bunch  of  cigarettes  like  a  hungry  animal's 
on  food  that  is  beyond  its  reach,  and  we  feared  he  would  take  it  by  force 
and  violence. 

"  Where  is  Florencia?  "  asked  the  Mexican.  "  Why  comes  she  not  out 
fo  welcome  our  distinguished  guests  ?  " 

"  She  is  timid,"  was  the  answer.  "  She  fears  to  meet  the  eyes  of 
strangers." 

"  The  senors  are  good  caballeros,  and  will  harm  no  one,"  the  husband 
said.  "Go  and  tell  her  that  a  Mexican  gentleman  has  offered  shelter  to 
travelers,  and  that  his  family  should  second  the  proffer  of  hospitality.'1 

Lewey  winked  at  me  as  we  heard  this  grandiloquent  address.  I  glanced 
at  the  surroundings,  and  mentally  calculated  that  everything  within  sight 
was  not  worth  one  hundred  dollars,  and  yet  the  greaser  was  assuming  the 
airs  of  a  grandee  of  Spain,  with  millions  at  his  command. 

The  woman  finished  her  cigarette  in  a  cool,  contented  manner,  then  arose, 
and  entered  the  house.  We  could  hear  a  little  struggle,  a  few  shrill  whis- 
pers, and  at  last  the  wife  dragged  forward  a  young  girl,  who  held  back,  and 
averted  her  face,  as  if  ashamed  of  being  picked  to  pieces  by  two  men  she 
had  never  met  before.  We  were  a  little  amused  at  the  scene,  and  did  not 
take  much  notice  of  the  girl  until  she  turned  her  head  to  steal  a  look  at  us, 
half  in  surprise  and  half  in  fear.  Then  we  leaped  to  our  feet,  removed  our 
hats,  and  bowed  low  before  the  prettiest  little  half-caste  specimen  of  femi- 
ninity that  we  had  seen  for  many  a  day,  as  she  was  dazzling  in  her  beauty, 
with  the  most  luscious  black  eyes,  large  and  liquid,  and  veiled  by  lashes 
that  were  wonderful  in  their  length  and  thickness.  Her  form,  what  we 
could  see  of  it,  and  she  was  scantily  dressed,  seemed  the  very  perfection  of 
a  sculptor's  dream,  and,  although  her  feet  were  bare,  and  soiled  by  constant 
contact  with  the  eanh,  yet  they  were  small  and  exquisitely  shaped,  and  her 
ankles  were  worthy  of  the  face.  We  could  not  have  been  more  surprised 
had  an  elegantly  dressed  lady  stepped  out  of  that  miserable  adobe  hut,  and 
saluted  us  in  the  choicest  of  French  expressions. 

The  girl,  not  more  than  thirteen  years  of  age,  was  born  and  reared  in 
that  out-of-the-way  place,  and  probably  had  never  seen  her  sweet  face  in  a 
looking-glass  during  all  of  her  short  life,  and  did  not  know  that  she  was  as 
handsome  as  some  of  the  rarest  flowers  that  blossomed  around  her  parents' 
ranchc.  I  never  saw  such  a  piece  of  rustic  beauty  in  my  life  as  that  little 
girl,  whose  name,  her  mother  informed  us,  was  Florencia,  a  fitting  appella- 
tion for  one  so  rare  in  beauty  of  face  and  form. 


122  Lewey  and  I. 


Lewey,  always  on  the  lookout  for  a  handsome  countenance,  and  desirous 
of  making  an  impression,  sprang  forward,  hat  in  hand,  to  salute  the  little 
lady,  and,  as  he  poured  forth  a  torrent  of  compliments,  the  »irl  looked  up 
full  in  his  face,  and,  for  the  first  time,  seemed  to  awaken  to  the  fact  that  a 
nice  young  man  was  addressing  her  with  more  respect  and  politeness  in  his 
tones  than  she  had  ever  heard  in  her  uneventful  life,  or  could  hope  for 
again.  The  look  of  timidity  passed  from  her  classical  features,  and  her 
glorious  black  eyes  appeared  more  brilliant  than  ever. 

"  Confound  the  fellow,"  I  thought.  "  He  will  play  the  mischief  with  that 
girl's  heart  unless  I  interfere,  and  save  her,"  and,  for  that  laudable  purpose, 
stepped  forward,  and  made  a  few  remarks  that  I  thought  quite 
appropriate. 

With  all  the  coquetry  of  a  girl's  nature  the  little  lady  turned  her  attention 
to  me,  and  actually  smiled  at  my  endeavors  to  speak  Spanish  as  fluently  as 
my  friend.  She  thought  that  heaven  was  near,  for  here  were  two  white 
young  men  paying  her  marked  attention,  and  treating  her  with  a  deference 
she  had  never  before  experienced,  so  she  gave  us  each  a  word  of  good- 
nature, and  then  drew  the  inner  garment  of  her  dress  a  little  more  tightly 
over  her  shoulders,  so  that  a  finely  formed  bust  should  not  be  exposed  to 
our  rude  gaze. 

"  Confound  you,  what  did  you  come  and  poke  your  nose  in  this  mess 
for  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  in  French. 

"  To  keep  you  out  of  mischief,  you  bad  boy,"  I  answered.  "  I  know  you, 
what  you  are  capable  of,  and  what  you  are  thinking  of.  For  once  in  your 
life  please  not  to  exert  the  power  of  your  fascinations.  This  little  girl  does 
not  know  the  meaning  of  love,  and,  if  you  continue  as  you  have  begun,  we 
shall  leave  behind  us  a  sad  heart  tomorrow." 

"But  why  should  we  leave  tomorrow  ?  "  my  friend  asked.  "We  are  in 
no  hurry.  Time  is  no  object  with  us.  If  we  do  not  start  for  a  week  no 
one  will  blame  us  for  delay  on  the  route,"  still  speaking  French. 

"  I  shall  go  tomorrow  even  if  I  have  to  travel  alone,"  was  my  response. 
"  I  will  not  let  you  play  havoc  with  the  girl's  peace,  just  to  gratify  your  con- 
founded vanity.  You  are  already  half  in  love  with  her,  and  in  a  day  or  two 
there  will  be  promises  of  marriage,  and  you  never  would  fulfill  them.  The 
girl  is  no  match  for  you.  Let  her  alone,  and  treat  her  coldly  as  I  do,"  and 
then,  when  the  little  lady  asked  me  what  I  was  saying  in  a  strange  tongue, 
I  had  to  lie  a  bit,  and  say  that  we  were  complimenting  her  eyes  and  face, 
and  she  tossed  her  head  and  smiled  in  a  manner  that  showed  how  much  of 


Lewey  and  I.  123 


a  woman  she  was  in  feeling,  in  spite  of  the  disadvantages  under  which  she 
had  labored  all  her  life. 

The  mother  and  father  looked  on,  and  smoked,  in  quiet  enjoyment.  They 
did  not  understand  the  dangerous  position  of  the  daughter,  for  love  had 
long  since  died  out  of  their  hearts,  and  they  would  have  laughed  at  such  a 
sentiment.  I  think  that  if  either  of  us  had  asked  the  padre  to  bestow  his 
daughter's  hand  in  marriage,  he  would  have  consented  without  a  thought 
of  the  future,  only  stipulating  that  the  husband  should  be  a  good  Catholic. 
That  would  have  been  the  only  proviso  he  cared  to  make  on  such  a  solemn 
occasion,  so  fraught  with  the  future  welfare  of  a  girl. 

At  last  the  smoking  was  concluded,  and  then  the  mother  and  daughter 
commenced  preparations  for  supper.  The  stone  for  cooking  tortillas  was 
heated,  the  corn  soaked  in  the  usual  way  among  Mexicans,  an  earthern  pot 
was  put  on  the  fire,  filled  with  bits  of  meat,  peppers,  and  some  vegetables, 
then  Lewey  went  with  the  girl  to  a  spring,  and  brought  fresh  water  in  a 
calabash.  He  was  making  himself  useful,  but  if  the  daughter  had  not  been 
pretty  he  never  would  have  cared  to  do  the  labor  that  he  did  on  that 
occasion. 

"  Ve  vill  contribute  toward  the  supper  from  our  own  stores,"  whispered 
the  French  lad.  "  Ve  vill  not  be  mean  here,  not  one  bit." 

"  Especially  since  there  is  a  pretty  girl  to  share  in  the  feast,"  I  suggest- 
ed, but  Lewey  would  admit  nothing  that  was  detrimental  to  himself. 

"  I  is  a  Frenchman,"  he  said  proudly,  "  and  one  of  dat  nation  alvays  ad- 
mire de  booful.  Get  out  de  coffee,  de  sugar,  de  bread,  and  say  no  more 
about  it,  or,  by  gar,  I  dink  you  jealous  of  your  old  ami,  and  love  de  girl 
yourself." 

We  surprised  the  people  with  our  contributions,  and  what  pleased  them 
more  than  words  can  express  was  the  taste  of  coffee,  well  sweetened  with 
sugar,  and  a  few  cakes  of  pilot  bread,  something  they  had  seldom  seen 
before,  except  when  a  visit  was  occasionally  made  to  San  Diego,  and  even 
then  the  mother  and  daughter  were  not  invited  to  make  the  journey  only  at 
rare  intervals. 

It  was  not  such  a  bad  supper,  for  we  were  hungry,  and  had  good  appe- 
tites for  sauce.  There  was  a  lack  of  spoons,  knives,  and  x>rks,  but  fingers 
were  convenient,  even  if  not  clean  as  soap  and  water  could  make  them. 
Lewey  loaned  his  spoon  to  the  young  girl,  and  she  was  pleased  with  it, 
while  the  father  and  mother  were  content  with  such  as  they  had  carvH 
from  wood,  neither  small  nor  graceful,  but  large  enough  to  hold  about  a  gill 


124  Lewey  and  I. 


of  liquid,  so  the  owners  could  fill  up  quite  rapidly  when  hungry,  and  had  a 
hot  olia  before  them. 

While  we  ate  our  meal  the  Mexican  told  us  all  of  his  history.  He  liked 
the  country  where  he  was  located,  as  he  had  unlimited  quantities  of  land, 
and  no  neighbors  to  interfere  with  his  rights.  He  owned  a  few  thousand 
head  of  cattle,  and  one  or  two  hundred  horses,  but  the  latter  were  of  little 
value,  and  nearly  wild.  The  only  disagreeable  incidents  of  his  life  were 
when  the  Indians  made  a  raid  through  the  country,  from  what  is  now  called 
the  southern  part  of  Arizona,  crossing  the  mountains  through  deep  canyons, 
the  existence  of  which  was  known  only  to  themselves,  as  the  Mexicans  had 
never  organized,  or  dared  to  follow  the  lawless  bands,  or  punish  them  for 
driving  off  stock,  and  capturing  prisoners.  More  than  two  years  had  now 
elapsed  since  the  Indians  put  in  an  appearance,  and  the  father  seemed  to 
think  that  they  would  trouble  him  no  more.  He  once  scattered  a  band  that 
approached  his  house  by  firing  a  broadside  from  his  formidable  old  musket, 
and  in  that  one  discharge  killed  two  painted  warriors,  and  wounded  as 
many  more,  and  it  seemed  to  satisfy  the  Indians  that  the  vicinity  of  the 
adobe  building  was  a  dangerous  place,  so  they  left  him,  but  made  fearful 
work  with  his  stock,  driving  off  nearly  half  that  he  owned,  and  more  than 
fifty  horses.  The  latter  he  cared  nothing  about,  arid  the  savages  were  wel- 
come to  them. 

"  Think,"  said  Lewey,  "  how  dangerous  it  is  for  your  wife  and  daughter 
to  reside  in  such  an  exposed  place.  What  if  the  Indians  should  make  a 
raid,  and  capture  them  some  day,  when  you  were  absent  from  home  ?  " 

The  greaser  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  he  answered,  — 

"It  would  be  the  will  of  God.  But  the  Indian  who  laid  a  hand  on  my 
wife  might  never  forget  it,"  and  the  Mexican  smiled  in  a  significant  manner, 
and  glanced  at  the  tough,  boney  hands  of  his  spouse,  as  if  he  had  some  ex- 
periences in  domestic  affairs  that  were  valuable. 

"  But  the  daughter  ?  Surely  you  would  feel  badly  if  anything  happened 
to  one  so  young  and  beautiful  ?  "  Lewey  said. 

"  She  can  see  an  Indian,  or  signs  of  them,  better  than  a  hawk.  Her  eyes 
are  like  eagles,  and  her  speed,  when  she  runs,  is  only  equaled  by  that  of  a 
deer.  Florencia  can  take  care  of  herself  when  I  am  absent  from  home,  and 
if  she  was  in  distress  Tobias  would  come  to  her  relief  like  the  wind,  with 
his  fleet  steed  and  sturdy  lariat." 

I  stole  a  quick  look  at  the  girl's  face,  and  so  did  Lewey,  but  no  blood 
rushed  to  her  cheeks  and  dyed  them  with  a  deep  crimson.  She  continued 
to  pick  at  the  pilot  bread  as  unconcerned  as  if  she  had  not  heard  the  name 


Lewey  and  /.  12 


of  the  nearest  ranchero,  the  one  we  had  met  in  the  morning.  It  was  evi- 
dent that  her  heart  had  not  been  touched  by  his  bold  horsemanship  and 
wild-looking  eyes. 

Darkness  gathered,  and  settled  down  upon  the  distant  mountains  and 
prairie,  and  already  the  coyotes  were  abroad,  and  calling  to  each  other  from 
neighboring  hills.  The  fire  was  fast  dying  out,  only  occasionally  flickering 
as  a  faint  breeze  swept  through  the  palio,  and  stirred  the  embers  into  life. 
The  husband  and  wife  smoked  our  cigarettes  with  great  relish,  and  the 
pretty  daughter,  with  a  serape  over  her  shoulders  to  keep  off  the  heavy 
dew  and  cold  night  air,  neither  looked  at  us,  nor  moved  from  her  position, 
but  gazed  at  the  dying  embers,  as  if  she  was  endeavoring  to  read  her  future 
in  the  hot  ashes,  and  then,  as.  I  glanced  at  her  sweet  face,  so  sad  and  yet 
so  beautiful,  just  as  the  last  flame  leaped  up,  and  expired  with  a  faint  crack- 
le, I  saw  Lewey's  blanket  move,  —  pulled  a  little  carelessly  over  his  left 
hip,  —  and  knew  that  under  cover  of  that  useful  article  he  was  holding  and 
squeezing  one  of  the  girl's  dark  but  well-formed  hands,  and  that,  for  the 
first  time  in  her  life,  she  was  drinking  in  all  the  bliss  that  a  young  woman 
can  imagine  when  half  inclined  to  be  in  love  with  a  good-looking  man. 

"  For  shame,  Lewey,"  1  said  in  English,  but  he  made  no  reply,  neither 
did  he  remove  his  hand,  and,  just  as  I  was  about  to  rise,  and  terminate  the 
scene,  we  heard  a  shrill  scream,  a  yell,  so  loud  and  terrible,  that  I  sprang 
up,  and  only  had  time  to  seize  Jack,  who  had  been  sleeping  by  my  side,  and 
prevent  him  from  darting  forth  into  the  darkness,  and  investigating  the 
noise,  for  his  hair  was  standing  erect  with  the  rage  that  possessed  his 
great  heart.  He  struggled  to  free  himself  from  my  hold,  and  growled  an- 
grily at  all  interference  in  his  movements. 

Lewey  also  jumped  up,  dropping  the  girl's  hand,  but  the  rest  of  the  group 
did  not  move  or  manifest  any  great  amount  of  agitation  or  fear. 

Again  that  shrill,  fierce  scream  fell  upon  our  ears,  but  this  time  nearer, 
and  in  the  direction  of  our  horses,  which  were  piquetted  near  the  court- 
yard. We  could  hear  them  snort  and  paw  the  ground  in  their  fear  and  de- 
sire to  break  away  from  the  stout  reatas  that  held  them  fast. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  we  asked,  as  we  sprang  for  our  rifles,  which  were  leaning 
against  the  house,  all  loaded,  and  ready  for  use. 

"  It  is  a  mountain  lion,"  answered  the  Mexican,  puffing  at  a  cigarette 
with  admirable  nonchalance.  "  He  will  not  venture  near  us  as  long  as 
there  is  fire  among  the  ashes.  But  you  had  better  bring  your  horses  nearer 
the  buildings.  The  beast  may  be  hungry,  and,  if  he  is,  there  is  no  knowing 
how  quickly  he  will  leap  on  one,  and  make  a  hearty  supper.  This  thief  of 


126  Lewey  and  I. 


the  devil  has  been  on  the  ranche  for  the  past  two  weeks,  and  some   night  I 
shall  have  to  kill  him.     Quien  sabe  ?  " 

We  took  our  rifles,  and,  as  we  did  so,  the  greaser's  dog  came  creeping  to 
the  fire,  his  tail  between  his  legs,  and  ears  drooping,  trembling  all  over. 
He  looked  at  every  one  in  a  pitiful  sort  of  manner,  as  if  ready  to  protest  in 
case  he  was  kicked  out  from  his  safe  position  into  the  darkness. 

"  Down,  Jack,"  I  said,  as  sternly  as  I  could,  when  releasing  my  hold  of 
the  dog,  for  he  showed  no  sign  of  fear,  and  wanted  to  dart  off  in  pursuit  of 
the  strange  beast,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  he  would  have  tackled  the 
brute  if  he  had  been  encouraged  to  do  so.  There  was  nothing  he  feared 
except  an  unkind  word  from  his  masters. 

Jack  obeyed,  but  uttered  an  angry  protest,  and  growled  defiance  at  the 
prowling  foe.  If  we  had  allowed  the  game  little  fellow  to  follow  his  in- 
clinations it  would  have  been  his  last  night  on  earth,  for  the  mountain  lion 
could  have  crushed  him  with  a  blow  of  his  powerful  paw,  strong  as  that  of 
a  leopard  (an  animal  of  a  similar  species),  then  thrown  the  dog  over  his 
shoulder,  and  strolled  off  toward  the  mountains  to  feast  at  his  leisure. 

When  the  savage  beast  uttered  his  shrill  scream,  the  coyotes  on  the 
hills  ceased  their  sharp  barks,  and  seemed  to  listen  so  that  they  could  de 
note  the  presence  of  their  fearful  foe,  and  not  disclose  their  own  position 
in  the  darkness. 

"  Take  care  that  he  does  not  spring  on  you,"  the  Mexican  father  said, 
as  he  threw  on  a  few  more  fagots  of  wood,  and  kindled  up  the  fire,  just  as 
we  were  ready  to  go  the  rescue  of  the  horses,  who  were  struggling  and 
straining  at  the  reatas,  and  shaking  with  terror. 

The  host  did  not  seem  inclined  to  lend  us  a  helping  hand,  which  we 
thought  strange,  and  a  little  impolite,  but  the  man  supposed  we  were  just 
as  much  accustomed  to  the  ways  of  that  vast  solitude  as  he  was,  and  that 
no  assistance  was  required  on  his  part.  In  this  he  was  mistaken,  but  to 
preserve  his  respect  it  was  necessary  to  show  no  fear.  Just  as  we  were 
moving  off  the  young  girl  arose,  threw  off  her  serape,  and  said, — 

"  The  senors  are  strangers,  father.  They  may  not  know  the  ways  of  a 
frightened  horse,  or  the  cunning  of  a  mountain  lion.  I  will  go  with  them, 
and  speak  to  the  caballos.  They  always  respect  a  woman's  voice,  or  the 
touch  of  her  hand,  because  it  is  more  gentle  than  that  of  a  man,  and  in- 
spires them  with  courage.  Come,  senors,  I  am  ready." 

But  we  held  back.  We  did  not  desire  to  involve  the  little  girl  in  any 
danger,  and  waited  for  the  father  and  mother  to  utter  a  remonstrance,  but 
none  was  spoken  by  them.  They  seemed  to  think  that  the  offer  on  the 


Lewey  and  L  127 


young  lady's  part  was  a  natural  one,  and  not  worthy  of  remark  or  protest. 
By  Jove,  what  courage  the  little  beauty  possessed.  She  was  not  one  to 
squeal  at  the  sight  of  a  mouse,  or  to  go  into  spasms  if  a  spider  alighted  on 
her  dress,  or  a  grasshopper  tickled  her  ankle.  I  could  not  help  admiring 
her  as  she  stood  near  us,  her  well-formed  head  thrown  back,  and  her  bright 
eyes  sparkling  like  the  stars  above.  I  was  enabled  to  note  her  pose  and 
flashing  orbs  by  the  aid  of  the  fire,  that  was  now  burning  up  brightly,  re- 
vealing the  girl's  form,  long  black  hair,  and  scant  dress.  How  little  did  I 
think  that  it  was  on  Lewey's  account  she  was  anxious  to  go,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, save  him  from  all  harm. 

"  No,  no,  you  remain  by  the  fire,"  the  French  lad  said.  "  We  need  not 
your  help.  The  wild  beast  is  terrible  in  his  rage,  and  we  fear  for  your 
safety  if  he  should  make  a  spring." 

"  Have  no  fear  for  me,"  was  the  response.  "  I  can  take  care  of  myself. 
Come  ;  the  horses  are  again  uneasy.  The  lion  is  near  once  more." 

As  she  spoke  there  arose  another  shrill  yell,  and  then,  in  the  rear  of  the 
animals,  we  saw  two  firey  eyes,  large  as  silver  dollars,,  it  seemed  to  us,  and, 
before  we  could  utter  a  word,  the  young  girl  bounded  toward  the  savage 
beast,  and  uttered  but  two  words. 

"  Vamous,  maldito,"  she  cried,  and  the  lion  disappeared  in  the  darkness, 
uttering  sullen  growls  of  protest  as  it  slunk  away. 

We  followed  her,  and  found  that  she  was  stroking  the  horses  with  her 
little  hands,  and  talking  to  them  in  a  soft,  soothing  tone,  and  they  seemed 
to  comprehend  her,  for  they  ceased  to  tremble,  and  put  their  velvet  noses 
on  her  rounded  neck,  and  uttered  the  peculiar  cry  that  mustangs  use  when 
pleased,  or  are  favored  with  the  presence  of  one  they  like. 

Although  the  night  was  cool  the  animals  were  reeking  with  perspiration, 
through  fear,  but,  when  we  unfastened  the  reatas,  and  led  the  beasts  to- 
ward the  house,  their  expressions  of  joy  were  quite  human. 

"Fasten  them  near  the  out-building,  Florencia,"  the  father  said,  "and 
give  them  a  mess  of  barley  on  the  ground.  One  of  us  will  have  to  sit  up 
all  night  to  keep  the  fire  going,  and  the  lion  at  a  distance,  otherwise  the 
horses  would  not  be  safe,  unless  let  loose." 

"  How  do  the  caballos  and  cattle  on  the  plains  escape  the  ravages  of  the 
savage  beasts?"  I  asked,  as  we  secured  our  animals,  and  the  girl  emptied 
a  measure  of  barley  on  the  ground  before  them,  for  which  they  appeared 
quite  grateful,  as  they  fed  readily. 

"It  is  only  the  weak  calves  or  colts  that  the  lion  attacks  and  devours; 
those  which  have  been  separated  from  the  herds,"  was  the  answer.  "  The 


128  Lewey  and  L 


stallions  and  the  bulls  form  a  line  of  defence,  and  kick  and  toss  anything 
that  dares  approach  the  mares  or  cows,  night  or  day.  Even  a  grisly  bear 
is  cautious  how  he  plays  around  a  mob  of  cattle,  for  there  is  death  in  a 
stud's  heels,  and  gaping  wounds  from  the  quick  play  of  a  lively  bull's  horns. 
Let  a  horse  or  bullock  be  secured  by  the  head,  or  hobbled,  and  a  mountain 
lion  will  pull  it  down,  and  devour  it  in  a  short  time.  There  is  the  diablo 
again,  prowling  around,  and  seeking  a  supper.  He  must  be  hungry  to  act 
so  bold.  Florencia,  throw  a  brand  toward  the  brute,  and  then  go  to  bed. 
It  is  time  your  eyes  were  closed  for  the  night.  The  senors  will  excuse 
you." 

"  I  will  sit  by  the  fire,  and  keep  it  burning,"  she  said,  without  look- 
ing up. 

"  No,  it  is  useless,"  was  the  response.  "  The  strangers  can  do  that  by 
taking  turns.  They  have  guns,  and  can  shoot  the  beast  if  it  approaches 
too  near." 

"Why  can't  we  do  that  now?"  Lewey  asked.  "We  have  rifles,  and 
know  how  to  use  them." 

"The  mountain  lion  is  a  hard  beast  to  kill,"  the  Mexican  remarked. 
"  You  can  test  your  guns  if  you  wish,  but,  to  prevent  mistakes,  think  I 
will  have  my  old  escopeta  at  hand.  Bring  it  to  me,  girl,  also  the  machete. 
It  may  come  in  play  if  the  beast  makes  a  spring." 

The  girl  arose  without  a  word,  and  brought  from  the  house  the  old  mus- 
ket, and  also'  the  machete,  or  heavy  chopping-knife,  such  as  the  Mexicans 
used  for  cutting  down  brush,  or  thick  chapparel.  She  placed  them  in  his 
hands,  and  once  more  sat  down  by  the  fire,  and  did  not  speak  a  word,  al- 
though, when  she  seated  herself,  I  noticed  that  she  took  a  different  position 
from  the  first  one  she  assumed,  that  is,  she  was  between  Lewey  and  the 
prowling  mountain  lion,  and  if  a  spring  was  made  by  the  ferocious  beast 
she  would  be  more  likely  to  receive  the  encounter  than  my  French  friend. 
Was  it  an  accident  or  intentional  that  she  thus  placed  herself  in  so  much 
danger  ?  No  one  could  tell  by  the  expression  of  her  face  what  was  her 
thought,  for  it  betrayed  neither  emotion  nor  fear. 

"  The  women  will  enter  the  house,"  the  father  said.  "  It  is  safer  for 
them.  Men  only  should  fight  lions." 

The  mother  lighted  a  fresh  cigarette,  and  entered  the  building.  The 
daughter  did  not  stir. 

"  I  will  remain,  and  help  the  strangers,"  she  said,  and  displayed  a  second 
machete,  which  she  had  concealed  in  the  skirts  of  her  dress. 

"  She  is  not  afraid,"  the  father  said,  and  nodded  toward  his  child.     "  She 


Lewev  and  I.  129 


has  faced  many  dangers,  and  never  yet  quailed.  She  is  a  true  daughter  of 
Mexico,  and  I  am  her  father." 

We  were  about  to  utter  some  complimentary  remark,  but  once  more  the 
wandering  lion  uttered  a  shrill  yell,  and  this  time  not  more  than  five  or  six 
fathoms  from  us.  We  could  see  his  firey  eyes  as  he  surveyed  us,  and  hear 
his  jaws  when  brought  together  with  a  snap,  as  he  gave  expression  to  his 
disappointment  in  not  obtaining  an  early  supper. 

"  Now,"  whispered  Lewey,  and  up  went  the  rifles  to  our  shoulders,  and 
they  were  both  discharged  the  same  moment,  full  at  the  great,  burning  eyes, 
that  looked  so  savage  and  threatening. 

There  was  a  yell,  a  roar,  and  then  we  could  hear  the  beast  rolling  on  the 
ground,  scratching  and  tearing  at  the  grass,  and  snapping  its  jaws  in  sav- 
age fury. 

"  By  all  the  saints,  but  I  believe  you  have  hit  the  diablo,"  the  Mexican 
said,  as  though  surprised  at  the  accuracy  of  our  aim.  "  Girl,  throw  a  brand 
in  the  direction  of  the  beast,  and  let  your  father  see  if  another  shot  is 
necessary." 

"  No,  no,"  cried  Lewey,  stopping  her  as  she  was  about  to  obey  the  com- 
mand. "  It  is  dangerous  for  the  senorita  to  do  so.  Let  me  incur  all  risks." 

He  snatched  the  burning  fagot  from  her  hand,  and  threw  it  with  all  his 
strength  in  the  direction  of  the  wounded  beast,  and,  for  a  moment,  by  the 
light  of  the  flaming  brand,  we  could  see  a  body  rolling  over  and  over,  and 
tearing  and  biting  at  wounds  on  the  head  and  shoulders. 

I  had  lost  no  time  in  ramming  down  another  bullet  in  my  rifle,  thinking 
that  it  would  be  needed,  but,  before  I  was  ready  to  fire,  the  Mexican  brought 
his  heavy  escopeta  to  his  shoulder.  There  was  a  blinding  flash,  a  dull, 
uncertain  roar,  and  the  greaser  was  kicked  across  the  courtyard,  and 
against  the  adobe  house,  and  for  a  moment  I  feared  that  the  man  was  badly 
injured,  but  he  picked  himself  up,  and  muttered,  — 

"  Bueno,  I  know  I  have  finished  him,"  and  he  was  nearly  correct  in  his 
supposition,  for  the  struggles  of  the  lion  ceased,  and,  when  I  told  Jack  to 
go  for  him,  the  dog  uttered  a  shrill  bark  of  delight,  and  bounded  out  into 
the  darkness,  and  the  Mexican's  cur  followed.  Then  we  heard  some  angry 
snaps  and  snarls,  and  our  dog  came  back  to  us  after  a  moment's  delay,  and 
wagged  his  tail,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  have  finished  our  mutual  enemy,  so 
there  is  nothing  to  fear." 

We  stirred  up  the  fire,  and  sent  one  more  brand  in  the  direction  of  the 
lion.  He  was  lying  quiet,  and  the  cur  was  lapping  some  blood  that  flowed 
from  the  wounds. 


130  Lewey  and  I. 


The  girl  lighted  a  fagot,  and  walked  toward  the  dead  beast  without  sign 
of  fear. 

"He  is  muerto,"  she  said,  and  held  the  flame  of  the  stick  so  near  the 
lion's  mouth  that  she  singed  the  long  whiskers  around  his  nose. 

14  We  have  done  well,"  the  Mexican  cried.  "  See,  here  are  three  wounds. 
.But  my  shot  did  the  business  after  all." 

And  so  it  appeared,  for  the  charge  from  the  escopeta  had  made  a  most 
hideous  hole  in  the  lion  near  the  right  shoulder,  while  the  balls  from  our 
rifles  had  lodged  in  the  head  and  neck,  either  of  which  would  have  caused 
death  in  time,  but  not  immediate  dissolution.  At  any  rate,  if  he  had 
charged  on  us  we  might  have  been  injured,  and  perhaps  the  little  girl 
maimed  for  life,  before  we  despatched  the  brute. 

"  A  good  night's  work,  senors,"  said  the  Mexican.  "  The  lion  has  been 
roaming  over  the  plains  and  hills  for  the  last  few  weeks,  and  worried  the 
cattle.  Caramba,  but  he  can  do  no  more  damage.  Tomorrow  I  will  skin 
him,  and  sell  the  quero  the  next  time  I  visit  San  Diego.  Senors,  accept 
mil  gracias  for  the  part  you  have  performed.  It  was  a  lucky  moment  when 
you  made  my  house  your  home  for  the  night,  and  as  much  longer  as  you 
please  to  stay." 

The  girl  said  nothing.  I  was  inclined  to  doubt  the  truth  of  the  man's 
assertion.  I  was  afraid  that  it  would  be  the  most  unprofitable  incident  for 
the  senorita  that  she  had  ever  experienced  in  her  young  life,  for  I  imag- 
ined that  she  had  looked  upon  my  friend's  face,  and  lost  her  heart  and 
peace  of  mind  at  the  same  time,  as  I  knew  Lewey  well  enough  to  know  that 
no  inducement  on  earth  could  prevail  upon  him  to  remain  and  marry  the 
girl,  thus  burying  himself  from  all  society  and  civilization.  He  was  a  flirt, 
and  it  was  born  in  him,  and  no  experiences  on  his  part,  no  dangers  that  he 
encountered,  were  sufficient  to  restrain  his  roving  propensities,  or  keep  him 
from  pouring  compliments  into  willing  ears.  I  doubt  if  age  has  even  yet 
dulled  his  interest  in  a  sweet  face  and  graceful  form,  married  man  that  he 
is,  and  the  father  of  a  family,  small,  but  as  large  as  French  customs  will  al- 
low at  the  present  time  among  the  aristocracy  of  his  country. 

"Shall  we  have  one  more  cigarette  before  we  retire  for  the  night?" 
asked  the  Mexican,  and  the  girl  seemed  to  second  the  request,  for  she 
stole  a  quick  look  at  Lewey,  and  then  dropped  her  eyes. 

"  By  all  means,"  cried  my  friend,  and  out  came  his  pipe  and  tobacco,  but 
I  put  a  veto  on  the  measure. 

"  The  senor  I  know  will  excuse  us,"  I  said.  "  We  have  traveled  far  to- 
day, and  under  a  warm  sun.  Tomorrow  we  must  start  early,  and  make  a 


Lewey  and  /.  133 


good  journey  toward  Los  Angeles.  We  need  rest,  and  will  now  retire  if 
you  have  no  objections." 

"  You  is  alvays  spilin'  de  fan,"  Lewey  grumbled  in  English.  "  Vy  can't 
you  keep  still,  be  good,  and  not  see  dings  ?  Vot  a  particular  boy  you  is. 
If  a  young  girl  like  you  I  say  not  one  vord,  but  vink  at  it  all  de  time." 

But  on  account  of  that  pretty  little  child  of  nature  I  was  firm,  and  re- 
solved that  the  lad  should  no  longer  trifle  with  her  affections,  if  I  could 
prevent  it.  His  blue  eyes  had  done  damage  enough  aheady,  and  I  feared 
that  it  would  be  a  long  time  before  the  senorita  forgot  him  or  his  jaunty 
ways,  his  soft  words  and  warm  looks,  so  well  calculated  to  move  a  girl's 
heart,  especially  such  a  child  as  Florencia. 

"Well,  senors,"  the  host  said,  when  he  found  that  I  was  firm,  "the  best 
place  that  I  can  offer  you  for  sleeping  quarters  is  the  shed.  There  is  noth- 
ing in  it  but  some  barley,  hens,  fifty  hides,  and  a  few  other  necessary  arti- 
cles, which  will  not  interfere  with  your  slumbers.  Pleasant  dreams  to  you, 
and  may  the  saints  have  you  in  their  keeping  now  and  forever.  Go  to  bed, 
girl.  Why  do  you  remain  up  until  this  late  hour,  when  it  is  your  custom 
to  lie  down  with  the  sun  ?  Your  mother  has  been  asleep  for  half  an  hour. 
May  the  saints  pardon  me  for  being  profane,  but,  caramba,  note  her  snor- 
ing, and  she  will  keep  it  up  all  night,  and  in  the  morning  vow  her  sleep  is 
like  an  infant's.  Santa  iMaria,  but  hear  her  go  it.  I  wonder  she  does  not 
strangle." 

"  Let  me  help  arrange  the  room  in  which  the  senors  will  sleep,  padre  ? " 
pleaded  the  young  lady. 

"  Nonsense.  The  senors  are  travelers,  and  need  not  be  particular  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  Good-night,  caballeros.  You  need  not  fear  for  your 
horses  now,  as  there  will  be  nothing  but  coyotes  prowling  near,  and  no  one 
cares  for  them.  They  will  be  sure  to  keep  at  a  distance  from  the  heels  of 
the  caballos,"  and,  with  these  words,  the  father  motioned  the  girl  to  enter 
the  house,  and  then  followed  her,  but  did  not  close  the  door,  as  we  expected 
he  would  do. 

"  Cool  it  is,"  muttered  Lewey ;  "  but  den  it  am  de  custom  of  de  country, 
so  ve  vill  not  complain." 

By  the  aid  of  a  burning  fagot  we  cleared  a  space  where  we  could  spread 
our  blankets,  and,  with  our  saddles  for  pillows,  lay  down.  If  we  had  not 
been  impervious  to  flea  bites  we  should  have  been  eaten  up  before  morn- 
ing, for  the  insects  swarmed  over  us  by  millions,  and  must  have  enjoyed 
the  rare  treat  of  sucking  fresh  blood  to  fill  their  hungry  bodies. 

But,  troubled  as  we  were,  I  dropped  off  to  sleep,  and  could  have  had  but 


134  Leivey  and  I. 


a  short  nap,  for  I  was  awakened  by  an  unusually  loud  bark  of  a  venture- 
some coyote,  and  looking  out  upon  .he  courtyard  saw  a  large,  lank  animal 
near  the  door  of  the  house,  as  though  engaged  in  reconnoitering,  to  see  if  it 
was  safe  for  him  to  enter,  and  hunt  for  a  supper.  I  threw  a  club  at  the  in- 
truder, and  told  Jack  to  keep  quiet,  for  the  dog  was  restless,  having  been 
tied  to  a  beam,  to  keep  him  out  of  danger  while  we  slept,  and  then  turned 
over,  and,  to  my  surprise,  found  that  I  was  alone,  Lewey  having  disappeared 
while  I  slept. 

In  an  instant  I  was  wide  awake,  and  on  my  feet.  I  understood  the  mat- 
ter as  plainly  as  if  I  had  been  informed  of  all  that  had  transpired  while  I 
slept.  Out  of  the  building  I  went,  and  walked  away  from  the  house  some 
little  distance,  but  saw  no  one.  Then  I  turned,  and  strolled  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  dead  mountain  lion,  which  the  coyotes  gave  a  wide  berth,  for 
fear  it  might  not  be  as  defunct  as  it  appeared.  Near  the  animal  I  heard 
low  voices,  and  one  of  them  was  that  of  Florencia,  and  the  other  my  friend 
Lewey's. 

"  I  swear  to  you,"  the  French  lad  was  saying,  "  that  I  loved  you  the  first 
moment  my  eyes  rested  on  your  face.  It  is  beautiful ;  more  charming  than 
the  fairest  girl  in  San  -Diego.  Give  me  but  one  kiss  to  prove  you  do  not 
dislike  me,  and  let  me  hope  that  when  I  am  gone  from  here  you  will  not  for- 
get me  in  a  day,  or  a  week.  Assure  me  of  that,  and  I  will  think  of  you  so 
often,  until  I  return,  that  even  your  warm  nature  will  rejoice." 

"  Take  the  kiss,"  the  girl  answered.  "  It  is  not  much  to  give  one  like 
you.  But  as  for  thinking  of  me  when  you  are  in  another  part  of  the  State, 
I  do  not  believe  it.  I  wish  that  I  could,  for  then  I  should  be  happy  even 
if  I  am  separated  from  you." 

The  wretch  put  his  arms  around  the  form  of  the  girl,  and  took  not  only 
one  kiss  but  a  dozen,  and  she  did  not  seem  to  shrink  from  his  embrace,  as 
she  should,  and  would  have  done,  had  she  known  the  French  lad  as  well  as 
I  did. 

I  thought  it  time  to  interfere.  I  was  resolved  that  the  artless  little  girl 
should  not  further  commit  herself,  even  if  Lewey's  assertions  were  sincere, 
and  I  had  good  reasons  to  doubt  them,  for  although  he  could  fall  in  love 
with  much  rapidity,  it  was  also  certain  that  he  got  over  his  passion  just  as 
swiftly,  and  without  a  particle  of  heartache.  He  was  a  true  Frenchman  in 
this  respect,  and  did  not  believe  in  moping  when  it  was  possible  to  be 

gay. 

As  I  advanced  the  girl  sprang  from  my  friend's  arms  and  muttered,  — 
"  Santa  Maria,  I  thought  it  was  my  padre.     If  he  should  find  me  here  it 


Lewey  and  I.  135 


would  be  death  to  both  of  us.  He  would  chop  us  to  pieces  with  his  mache- 
te, and  laugh  at  our  prayers  for  mercy." 

"  Fear  nothing,  Florencia,  it  is  my  amigo.  He  will  not  lisp  a  word," 
Lewey  said,  in  a  hasty  tone,  and  then,  turning  to  me,  asked  in  English,  — 

"  Vot  in  de  devil's  name  did  you  come  here  for  to  spoil  de  fun  ?  " 

"  Fun  for  you,  but  death  to  the  girl.  For  shame,  Lewey,  to  make  love  to 
such  a  little  wild  blossom,"  I  answered.  "  Let  the  girl  alone,  so  that  she 
can  return  to  the  house,  and  talk  no  more  of  love  to  her,  for  I  do  not  think 
it  desirable  to  break  her  heart,  and  you  know  that  marriage  is  an  impossi- 
ble thing  at  the  present  time.  Confound  it,  you  miserable  flirt,  how  many 
girls  do  you  desire  to  be  engaged  to  at  the  same  time  ?  " 

"  I  do  vish  dat  you  vould  mind  your  own  business,  and  let  me  all  alone 
to  mineself,"  my  friend  said,  in  a  petulant  tone.  "  I  interferes  vid  you  neb- 
ber.  Vy,  you  might  de  love  make  to  all  de  females  of  California,  and  not 
one  vord  say  I  vould.  Go  back  to  your  blankets,  and  let  alone  me.  Seed 
nothin'." 

The  girl  stood  listening  to  the  conversation,  carried  on  in  low  tones,  so 
that  the  terribli  padre  would  not  be  awakened,  and  with  her  head  bent 
down.  She  could  not  understand  a  word  that  we  uttered,  but  she  must 
have  known  that  we  were  conversing  about  her,  for  once  in  a  while  she 
would  raise  her  face  to  Lewey's,  and  ask,  — 

"  What  are  you  talking  about?  Speak  in  Spanish,  if  you  please,  so  I 
may  know  all  that  is  going  on." 

"  Lewey,"  I  said,  in  a  calm  tone,  "  I  will  not  take  offence  at  your  words, 
for  we  have  been  friends  for  many  years,  and  never  had  but  one  quarrel 
during  all  that  time.  I  now  appeal  to  your  better  nature  as  a  man,  a  young 
one  to  be  sure,  to  let  the  girl  enter  the  house,  and  promise  to  see  her  no 
more  tonight." 

"  And  if  I  does  not,"  he  asked,  in  a  sullen  tone,  "  vot  den  ? " 

"  Simply  this.  As  soon  as  daylight  comes  I  shall  saddle. my  horse,  and 
return  to  San  Diego  alone.  We  part  forever." 

"  But  I  loves  de  girl,"  he  pleaded,  after  a  moment's  pause. 

"  Nonsense.  You  think  so,  but  in  a  day  or  two  you  will  acknowledge 
your  mistake.  If  you  love  her  so  much,  remain  here,  and  marry  her.  I 
will  give  you  all  the  gold  I  possess  to  start  you  in  life,  and  try  and  make  you 
happy  on  this  solitary  ranche,  so  far  out  of  the  world.  Come,  be  a  man, 
and  tell  me  if  you  will  take  the  little  child  for  your  wife  without  delay,  for  I 
would  not  trust  you  an  hour." 

"  I  vill  do  as  you  vish,"  was  the  answer.     "  I  am  not  de  kind  of  man  to 


136  Lewey  and  I. 


make  dis  girl  happy,  and  yet  I  vish  dat  I  could,  for  she  is  booful,  and  I  do 
love  de  booful  faces." 

"  Go  into  the  house,  senorita,"  I  said.  "  Your  father  might  awaken,  and 
then  there  would  be  trouble.  Do  not  stir  out  again  this  night." 

The  girl  looked  at  Lewey  for  advice.  He  pretended  not  to  see  the  plead- 
ing face,  but  was  watching  the  stealthy  movements  of  a  sneaking  coyote 
very  attentively.  For  a  moment  she  hesitated,  then,  receiving  no  word 
from  my  friend,  turned  toward  the  house,  but,  as  she  did  so,  suddenly 
rushed  forward,  and  seized  my  hand,  pressed  it  to  her  lips  in  a  hurried 
manner,  and  whispered,  — 

"  Senor,  I  know  not  what  you  have  said,  but  mil  gracias  for  your  words 
and  presence  here  tonight.  May  you  both  be  happy  will  ever  be  the  pray- 
er of  pobrecita  Florencia,"  and  she  was  gone. 

I  heard  a  sob,  and  saw  Lewey  brush  away  some  dampness  that  had  gath- 
ered in  his  eyes. 

"  You  poor  boy,"  I  said,  as  I  sprang  forward,  and  threw  my  arms  around 
his  neck,  "  are  you  as  hard  hit  as  this  denotes  ?  Do  you  really  love  the 
girl  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  dink  I  does,"  was  the  answer.  "  But  I  skall  get  ober  it  in  a  lit- 
tle dime.  I  is  a  fou  vare  de  vomen  is  concerned." 

"  How  many  do  you  think  you  could  love  at  one  time  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  I  knows  not,  but  I  skall  like  to  try.  I  dink  dat  I  could  vorship  a  mil- 
lion if  dey  vas  all  booful,  and  did  not  plague  me  vid  der  jealousy.  Now, 
mine  ami,  I  is  all  right  vonce  more,  and  ve  vill  sleep  to  go  till  de 
morrow." 

There  was  no  other  incident  during  the  night.  Lewey  slept,  and,  per- 
haps, dreamed  of  the  object  of  his  worship,  but  he  did  not  move  out  of  the 
shed  until  I  called  him  a  little  after. daylight,  just  as  the  people  in  the  house 
were  stirring.  Then  we  arose,  packed  our  blankets  and  traps,  piquelted 
our  horses  out  to  graze,  filled  a  large  calabash  with  water,  and  had  a  good 
wash,  a  proceeding  that  made  the  greaser  look  on,  and  wonder,  and  the 
wife  to  smile  in  a  sarcastic  manner,  as  though  she  could  not  see  the  need 
of  such  useless  proceedings,  while  Florencia  wet  her  face  and  hands  at  the 
spring,  and  dried  them  on  a  cloth  that  must  have  been  in  the  family  many 
years,  and  had  never  been  what  the  women  call  "  boiled  out/r 

The  senora  started  the  fire,  and  mixed  the  usual  dish  of  torti'las,  and 
prepared  an  olia,  which  she  was  to  cook  in  a  black  earthen  pot,  one  that 
had  been  licked  by  a  coyote  the  night  before,  and,  to  prevent  our  stomachs 
from  being  turned,  Lewey  snatched  the  crock  up,  and  went  to  the  spring, 


Lewey  and  I.  137 


giving  the  utensil  as  thorough  a  cleaning  as  it  was  possible  without  soap, 
sand,  and  hot  water. 

The  wife  did  not  seem  in  the  least  offended  at  my  officious  friend's  pro- 
ceedings, but  the  rich  blood  mounted  the  dark  cheeks  of  Florencia,  as  she 
witnessed  the  act,  and  she  felt  the  shame  that  did  not  find  vent  in  words. 
I  have  no  doubt  she  contrasted  her  surroundings  with  what  she  imagined 
were  ours  when  at  home,  and  lamented  her  fate  more  bitterly  than  ever 
before. 

Again  we  contributed  our  share  to  the  breakfast,  — a  little  coffee  and  su- 
gar, —  and,  after  a  hearty  meal,  smoked  until  the  sun  arose,  and  warned  us 
to  be  on  our  way.  Then  we  saddled  our  animals,  packed  our  traps  on 
them,  and  were  ready  for  our  long  journey  over  the  trail,  and  towards  the 
mountains. 

"  Adios,"  we  cried,  as  we  swung  ourselves  into  the  saddles.  "  May  God 
be  with  you,"  and  we  touched  our  sombreros,  and  the  Mexican  repeated  the 
salutation.  The  wife  smiled  on  us,  and  bade  us  come  again,  as  she  would 
be  glad  to  see  us  at  any  time. 

We  glanced  around  to  bid  Florencia  farewell,  but  the  girl  was  not  in 
sight.  She  had  disappeared  when  we  put  the  saddles  on  the  animals. 

"  Give  our  regards  to  the  senorita,"  I  said,  then  we  ambled  out  of  the 
courtyard,  and  took  the  trail,  Jack  at  the  horses'  heels,  glad  to  be  once  more 
in  motion. 

Lewey  did  not  utter  a  word,  but  he  often  looked  back  to  see  if  he  could 
get  a  glimpse  of  the  young  lady.  For  ten  minutes  or  more  we  galloped 
along,  and  then,  suddenly,  just  ahead  of  us,  the  chapparel  parted,  and  Flor- 
encia sprang  on  the  trail,  and  stood  in  our  path.  I  uttered  a  groan  of  dis- 
may, but  Lewey  paid  no  attention  to  me.  He  spurred  on  his  steed,  and, 
when  he  neared  the  girl,  jumped  from  the  saddle  to  the  ground,  and  threw 
his  arms  around  her,  and  kissed  her  several  times  without  any  remonstrance 
on  her  part  or  mine. 

"  I  could  not  let  you  leave  me  without  saying  one  word  of  farewell,"  she 
said,  "and  I  did  not  wish  my  padre  to  notice,  our  parting.  Now  go,  and 
God  be  with  you." 

The  French  boy  took  one  of  the  girl's  little  dark  hands,  and  kissed  it  very 
gently,  as  he  said,  in  a  voice  meant  to  be  sincere  and  tender,  — 

•k  I  swear  to  come  back,"  and,  as  he  uttered  the  words,  there  was  an  angry 
growl  from  the  dog,  and  he  rose  up  from  his  resting-place,  and  sniffed  the 
air  in  a  suspicious  manner,  and  then,  just  about  fifty  fathoms  from  us, 
across  the  trail,  four  horsemen  dashed  from  the  thick  chapparel  on  each 


138  Lewey  and  I. 

side  of  us,  and  uttered  a  shrill  yell  of  triumph,  and  brandished  long  lances, 
CD  which  were  hung  locks  of  human  hair  and  feathers,  and  it  did  not  take 
a  second  glance  to  reveal  to  us  that  the  strangers  were  wild  Indians,  admi- 
rably mounted  on  hardy  mustangs,  and  sitting  the  animals  without  the  aid 
of  saddles  or  stirrups,  bridles  or  head  gear  of  any  kind  to  guide  their 
horses,  as  untamed  as  the  riders.  All  this  we  saw,  and  then  realized  that 
we  were  in  the  presence  of  a  roving  band  of  Indians  from  the  other  side  of 
the  mountains,  scouring  the  plains  in  the  hope  of  securing  plunder,  in  the 
shape  of  cattle  and  women,  scalps  and  horses,  and,  in  the  days  of  which  I 
write,  the  savages  did  a  large  business  in  the  southern  part  of  California, 
crossing  the  mountains  when  they  pleased,  for  there  was  no  one  to  make 
them  afraid,  or  drive  them  back  to  what  is  now  known  as  Arizona,  then  a 
wilderness,  and  the  home  of  the  fierce,  treacherous  Apache  Indians,  and 
members  of  this  tribe  were  now  before  us  calculating  on  an  easy 
conquest. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  APACHE  ATTACK.  —  PAINTED  WARRIORS,  AND  THEIR  CHARGE.  — 
DEATH  TO  THE  INDIANS.  —  RETURN  TO  THE  RANCHE.  — THE  GOVERN- 
MENT COURIER. —  A  HORSE  TRADE.  —  OUR  JOURNEY  RESUMED.  —THE 
FEAST  OF  THE  BUZZARDS  AND  COYOTES.  —  TROUT  FISHING.  —  RANCHE 
VALLECITO.  —  A  PROPOSITION.  —  THE  NIGHT  CAMP,  AND  A  STARTLING 
APPARITION. 

THE  only  Indians  we  had  ever  before  seen  were  those  met  at  the  mis- 
sions and  ranches  of  California,  and  were  called  tame,  because  they 
had  received  some  enlightenment  by  the  aid  of  priests,  whose  willing  ser- 
vants the  peons  were,  receiving  only  food  and  a  shirt  for  the  labor  which 
they  performed,  not  very  arduous  at  any  time.  The  tame  bucks  we  had  al- 
ways looked  upon  with  perfect  contempt,  as  not  possessing  the  feelings  or 
courage  of  a  warrior,  but  here,  just  ahead  of  us,  was  something  different 
from  what  we  had  been  accustomed  to,  for  the  half-naked  visitors  sat  their 
horses  like  centaurs,  and  there  did  not  appear  to  be  much  tameness  about 
them,  for  they  uttered  a  yell  that  denoted  triumph,  and  shook  their  lances 
in  our  direction,  and  then,  seeing  there  were  but  three  of  us,  counting  the 
girl,  and  leaving  out  the  dog,  prepared  to  charge  down  the  trail. 

**  Holy  Virgin,  mother  of  Jesus/'  Florencia  cried.  "  Fly  to  the  ranche 
for  your  lives.  The  Apache  Indians  are  on  us,  and  will  take  your  scalps. 
Turn  your  horses,  and  escape  if  possible." 

"  And  what  will  you  do  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  who  felt  more  anxious  for  the 
safety  of  the  girl  than  for  his  own.  I  will  give  him  the  credit  of  saying  that 
his  first  thought  was  for  the  little  beauty,  and  not  personal  preservation. 

Even  if  we  had  turned,  and  spurred  our  horses  to  their  utmost  speed,  we 
could  not  have  reached  the  ranche  in  time  to  escape  a  spear  thrust,  as  the 


140  Lewey  and  I. 


Indians  were  better  mounted  and  far  more  expert  horsemen  than  we  could 
ever  hope  to  be,  even  if  we  had  spent  a  life  in  taking  lessons  from  the  best 
ranchero  in  California.  Consequently,  in  our  surprise,  we  did  the  very 
best  thing  that  was  possible  under  the  circumstances.  We  did  not  fly  as 
the  Indians  expected  we  would  do  when  they  first  sighted  us,  and  this 
made  them  a  little  suspicious  of  an  ambush,  which  the  rascals  dreaded 
above  all  things.  They  feared  that  there  might  be  Mexicans  hidden  in  the 
high  chapparel,  on  each  side  of  the  trail,  and  for  that  reason  hesitated  to 
bear  down,  and  crush  us  at  a  blow. 

"  Never  mind  me,"  Florencia  cried,  in  answer  to  Lewey's  appeal.  "  The 
saints  will  have  me  in  their  keeping.  Ride  for  your  lives,  or  you  are  dead 
men.  Those  warriors  know  no  fear,  and  have  no  mercy  on  all  they  capture. 
There  are*  four  of  them,  and  only  two  of  you.  Be  warned  in  time,"  and  the 
young  girl  knelt  at  my  friend's  feet,  and  raised  her  hands  in  supplication, 
so  that  he  would  be  moved  by  her  appeals. 

"  Never  will  I  leave  you  like  a  coward,"  Lewey  exclaimed.  "  I  would 
have  acted  a  treacherous  part  toward  you,  but  may  the  devil  fly  away  with 
me,  as  I  suppose  he  will  some  day,  if  I  don't  make  it  warm  for  the  savages 
before  they  take  you  prisoner." 

He  snatched  up  his  rifle  as  he  spoke,  and  then  glanced  at  me,  and,  as  his 
eyes  met  mine,  I  thought  that  he  was  not  the  worst  boy  in  the  world,  even 
if  he  did  like  to  flirt  with  pretty  girls,  and  tease  them,  when  he  should  have 
been  honest  and  frank. 

"  You  vill  stick  by  me,  old  friend  ?  "  the  lad  asked.  He  spoke  in  Eng- 
lish, and  hurriedly,  for  there  was  no  time  to  lose,  as  the  Indiana  showed 
signs  of  charging  toward  us,  seeming  to  divine  that  we  were  without  sup- 
ports. 

"  As  long  as  I  have  life,"  was  my  answer,  and  the  French  boy's  face 
lighted  up  with  the  joy  he  felt  at  the  words. 

"  I  knowed  it,"  he  cried.  "  Dismount,  and  let  de;girl  hold  de  horses,  so 
dat  avay  dey  vill  not  run.  Ve  can  much  better  shoot  on  de  foot  den  in  de 
saddle." 

Down  I  dropped  to  the  ground,  and  threw  the  bridle  of  my  horse  to  the 
girl.  She  understood  the  meaning  oc  the  action  as  well  as  though  we  had 
explained  the  matter  by  half  a  hundred  words.  Florencia  'tarted  the  ani- 
.  mals  along  the  trail  that  led  to  her  home,  and  when  the  Indians  saw  the 
movement,  and  understood  that  there  was  a  prospect  of  the  girl's  escaping, 
—  a  prize  that  they  coveted  more  than  a  dozen  head  of  cattle,  —  they  ut- 
tered a  fierce  yell,  lowered  their  long  lances,  and  dashed  toward  us,  sway- 


Lewey  and  I.  141 


ing  their  bodies  from  side  to  side  as  they  advanced,  so  that  our  aim  would 
be  disturbed,  in  case  we  fired  on  them.  I  think  they  did  not  expect  a  vol- 
ley, as  all  the  Mexicans  they  had  encountered  on  the  raid,  it  is  very  proba- 
ble, had  fled  at  the  first  glimpse  of  the  painted  fiends,  terror-stricken  at  the 
thought  of  being  scalped,  and  hacked  to  pieces. 

"  Take  de  von  on  de  starboard  side,"  my  French  friend  said  in  a  whisper, 
"  and  I  vill  de  >von  on  de  larboard  side  look  arter,  and  den  pistols  to  'em 
take  as  fast  as  possible,  and  no  mistake  make." 

Even  in  that  moment  of  peril  Lewey  did  not  forget  that  his  nautical  ex- 
pressions conveyed  more  meaning  to  my  ears  than  if  he  had  used  the  words 
of  a  land-lubber.  I  nodded,  and  by  this  time  the  Apaches  were  not  more 
than  ten  fathoms  from  us,  riding  like  a  whirlwind,  and  looking  hideous  in 
their  paint  and  feathers,  yelling  in  concert,  and  shaking  their  lances. 

"  Now,"  said  Lewey,  and  at  the  word  we  discharged  our  rifles,  and  then 
jumped  as  far  as  we  could  into  the  chapparel.  on  each  side  of  the  trail, 
dropping  the  rifles  as  we  did  so,  and  drawing  our  pistols. 

It  was  well  we  made  the  leaps  we  did,  for  in  another  second  we  should 
have  been  spitted  on  the  lances  of  the  two  uninjured  warriors.  Our  aim 
had  been  true,  for  a  wonder,  and  both  the  Indians  we  had  singled  out,  a 
litth  in  advance  of  the  others,  tumbled  from  their  horses,  and  the  trained 
steeds  instantly  stopped,  arid  waited  for  the  owners  to  remount,  but  they 
did  not  seem  to  be  in  a  hurry,  for  good  and  sufficient  reasons,  as  we  after- 
ward discovered,  both  painted  brutes  having  small  bullet  holes  in  their 
breasts.  The  pellets  of  lead  had  gone  completely  through  the  bodies,  and 
out  near  the  shoulder  blades,  a  dose  sufficient  to  settle  their  accounts  for  all 
time,  and  yet  the  wounded  Apaches  did  not  lie  still  even  after  touching  the 
earth,  but  rolled  into  a  thick  clump  of  chapparel,  and  with  their  last  strength 
sought  concealment  in  the  long  grass,  so  that  in  death  they  could  preserve 
their  scalps  from  enemies. 

As  I  have  said,  we  dropped  our  rifles,  and  drew  our  pistol?,  and,  as  we 
landed  in  the  rushes  and  grass,  nearly  as  high  as  our  heads,  we  turned  and 
fired  them  at  the  pursuing  Indians,  when  they  were  not  more  than  three 
fathoms  from  us.  The  ball  from  my  pistol  struck  the  knee  joint  of  the 
Apache  nearest  my  side  of  the  trail,  then  glanced  from  the  bone,  and  en- 
tered the  spine  of  the  mustang  he  was  riding.  The  beast  dropped  as  if 
struck  by  lightning,  throning  the  Indian  to  the  ground,  nearly  at  my  feet, 
and,  had  not  Jack  come  to  my  assistance,  the  warrior  might  have  given  me 
an  ugly  jab  with  his  spear,  for,  in  spite  of  his  injuries,  and  the  pain  he  en- 
dured, the  savage  was  about  to  make  a  lunge  at  my  stomach,  as  I  was  too 


i42  Lewey  and  I. 


astonished  to  get  out  of  the  way,  or  discharge  my  remaining  pistol  full  at 
his  head,  as  I  might  have  done,  had  I  possessed  proper  presence  of  mind 
at  the  time  to  consider  my  danger. 

The  Apache  had  raised  his  spear,  as  I  was  looking  at  his  hideous  face, 
streaked  with  thick  layers  of  paint,  and  thinking  how  fortunate  it  was  he 
had  managed  to  dismount  so  suddenly,  when  Jack  thought  that  the  time 
had  arrived  for  him  to  take  a  hand,  and  show  what  he  could  do  to  prove 
that  he  was  a  dog  of  courage  and  resources.  He  did  not  need  to  be  told  to 
pitch  in,  for  instinct  prompted  him  to  make  a  sudden  attack,  and,  while  the 
warrior  was  just  on  the  point  of  giving  me  a  thrust,  Jack  made  a  mighty 
bound,  and  landed  full  on  the  back  of  the  Apache's  neck,  and  commenced 
chawing  at  the  flesh  and  muscles,  as  if  desirous  of  securing  a  little  lunch  of 
Indian  meat,  justUo  see  how  it  would  taste. 

The  savage  was  not  prepared  for  this  demonstration.  His  lance's  point 
fell,  as  he  turned  to  meet  the  new  enemy.  He  reached  for  the  long  knife  in 
his  leggings,  and,  if  he  could  have  secured  it  at  the  first  attempt,  Jack's 
life  might  have  ended  then  and  there,  but  the  angry  snaps  that  the  dog 
gave  disconcerted  the  savage,  and,  muttering  some  malediction  in  the 
Apache  tongue,  he  made  a  second  attempt,  but  by  this  time  I  had  come  to 
my  senses,  no  longer  fascinated  and  dazed  by  that  terrible  face.  He  had 
exerted  over  my  senses  some  such  spell  as  the  rattlesnake  is  supposed  to 
have  over  human  beings,  birds,  and  animals. 

As  the  savage  again  reached  for  his  knife,  feeling  the  pain  of  Jack's  long 
and  sharp  teeth  tearing  at  the  flesh  in  a  fury  of  rage  and  desperation,  I 
sprang  forward,  tore  the  long  lance  from  the  hand  that  held  it,  and  then 
plunged  it  through  the  body  of  the  prostrate  Indian.  He  uttered  one  -cry 
of  rage  and  defiance,  the  hand  fell  to  his  side,  the  eyes  grew  dim,  a  shudder 
ran  through  the  body,  and  the  warrior  was  dead,  and  the  instant  life  ceased 
Jack  relinquished  his  attack,  and  uttered  a  howl,  as  though  to  bark  a  re- 
quiem for  the  spirit  that  had  gone  to  its  happy  hunting-grounds. 

Then,  for  the  first  time,  I  had  a  chance  to  turn  my  attention  to  Lewey,  and 
see  what  had  become  of  the  boy.  He  missed  the  Indian  that  was  on  his 
side  of  the  trail,  because  his  pistol  hung  fire.  It  had  failed  him  just  at  the 
wrong  moment,  and,  before  he  could  cock  the  second  one,  the  Apache 
dashed  on  in  pursuit  of  the  girl  and  horses.  Lewey  had  followed  as  rapid- 
ly as  possible,  thinking  of  the  safety  of  Florencia,  and  supposing  that  I  had 
fatally  wounded  the  savage  who  had  tumbled  from  his  horse,  and  fell  at  my 
feet.  He  imagined  that  I  was  more  than  a  match  for  a  dismounted,  half- 
dead  Apache,  but  he  was  much  mistaken.  I  afterward  warned  him  to  be 


Lewey  and  I.  *45 


more  careful  the  next  time,  and  see  that  I  was  doing  well  before  he  left  me 
to  aid  strangers. 

I  noticed  Lewey  tearing  along  the  trail  as  fast  as  his  legs  could  carry 
him,  and  I  would  have  taken  one  of  the  two  mustangs  that  were  standing 
near  me,  all  riderless,  and  waiting  for  the  word  of  command  from  their  own- 
ers, and  followed  in  pursuit,  but  did  not  care  to  mount  a  horse  that  had  nei- 
ther saddle  nor  bridle,  for  fear  it  might  take  me  to  a  part  of  the  country  I 
had  no  desire  to  visit,  perhaps  in  the  midst  of  the  rest  of  the  raiding  tribe, 
which  I  imagined  was  not  far  off. 

I  picked  up  my  rifle,  and  Lewey's  also,  for  he  had  left  it  behind,  in  his 
eagerness  of  pursuit,  and  then  slung  one  of  them  over  my  shoulder,  and 
loaded  the  other  as  I  trotted  after  my  friend.  I  did  not  know  how  many 
Indians  were  near,  but  was  determined  to  be  prepared  in  case  there  was 
another  attack. 

I  had  not  run  more  than  fifty  fathoms  before  I  heard  a  roaring  report. 
It  sounded  like  the  Mexican's  musket,  for  there  was  no  other  weapon  near 
us  that  could  make  so  much  noise,  it  appeared  to  me. 

In  a  few  seconds  there  was  a  shout  of  triumph,  not  from  Lewey,  but  the 
ranchero,  and  I  surmised  that  the  old  fellow  had  done  some  damage  with 
his  blunderbuss,  perhaps  killed  the  fleeing  Apache,  and  such  was  the  case, 
for  on  the  ground,  when  I  arrived  at  the  spot,  was  the  body  of  the  dead 
Indian,  the  whole  side  of  his  head  blown  away,  and  presenting  a  disgusting 
sight  to  those  not  accustomed  to  such  wounds. 

And  that  Mexican  was  as  proud  as  a  peacock  over  his  deed,  and  pointed 
with  much  gusto  to  the  wounds,  and  then  to  the  large  muzzle  of  his 
musket. 

Florencia  was  safe,  and  was  in  the  yard  with  our  horses.  The  old  Mex- 
ican had  heard  the  firing  soon  after  we  had  left  his  house,  and,  thinking 
there  might  be  Indians  near,  as  his  wolfish  dog  was  uneasy,  and  sniffed  and 
growled,  a  sure  sign  that  danger  of  some  kind  was  abroad,  he  had  gone 
through  the  chapparel,  and  remained  in  ambush  until  the  Indian  came  along 
in  pursuit  of  his  daughter.  Then  he  understood  the  whole  matter  at  a 
glance.  The  girl  was  allowed  to  pass,  and,  when  the  Apache  hove  in  sight, 
a  handful  of  shot  was  lodged  in  his  head,  the  very  best  place  it  could  have 
been  deposited,  just  at  that  time. 

There  were  mutual  congratulations  indulged  in,  and  then  the  Mexican 
insisted  upon  our  returning  to  the  spot  where  we  had  been  first  attacked,  so 
that  he  could  see  if  the  rest  of  the  Apaches  were  dead,  or  only  wounded. 
The  Mexican  did  not  think  that  there  were  any  more  savages  in  the  vicini- 


146  Lewey  and  I. 


ty,  as  he  said  that  they  were  apt  to  break  up  into  small  bands,  and  scour 
the  country  in  every  direction,  meet  at  some  spot  near  the  mountains  with 
all  the  plunder  and  prisoners,  and  then  depart  through  a  secret  canyon  for 
the  southern  portion  of  Arizona,  from  whence  they  came.  This  was  the 
rirst  time  in  two  years,  as  he  again  told  us,  the  Apaches  had  made  a  raid, 
and  he  rather  suspected  the  Indians,  that  is  the  main  body,  had  gone  in  the 
direction  of  San  Diego,  where  there  were  more  cattle  and  females  for  pris- 
oners. At  any  rate,  it  would  not  be  safe  for  us  to  continue  our  journey  for 
a  day  or  two,  as  we  might  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  prowling  ladrones,  and 
lose  the  number  of  our  mess,  although  he  did  not  express  himself  in  such 
nautical  language. 

As  we  returned  to  the  scene  of  the  charge,  the  two  dogs  followed  at  our 
heels,  a  common  feeling  of  danger  seeming  to  make  them  fast  friends,  for 
the  time  being,  as  they  did  not  snap  or  growl  at  each  other  like  the  night 
before,  and  in  the  morning.  Indeed,  the  animals  appeared  to  express  to 
each  other  a  feeling  of  satisfaction  that  they  had  done  so  well  when  hard 
blows  were  called  for. 

As  we  neared  the  spot  we  saw  the  two  horses  standing  motionless,  wait- 
ing for  their  masters  who  would  never  mount  them  again,  The  Mexican 
looked  at  the  brands  on  the  flanks  of  the  mustangs,  and  knew  them  as  well 
as  if  they  had  been  printed  matter.  Much  better,  in  fact,  for  he  could  not 
read  a  word  of  Spanish. 

"  They  are  from  the  Ranche  Vallecito,"  he  said,  and  pointed  toward  the 
north,  in  the  direction  of  the  trail.  "  They  must  have  been  stolen  two  years 
ago,  when  the  great  raid  was  made,  for  it  takes  an  Indian  a  year  to  break 
in  a  mustang,  and  teach  him  all  the  tricks  necessary  to  be  an  Apache's  best 
friend,  something  that  can  be  trusted  night  and  day,  will  come  at  his  call, 
and  stand  until  told  to  go.  I  will  let  them  mingle  with  my  herd,  if  I  have 
any  left,  and  in  a  few  weeks'  time  they  will  forget  some  of  their  wild  train- 
ing, and  not  sniff  at  a  white  man,  as  you  see  these  do." 

As  he  finished  speaking  the  Mexican  attempted  to  lay  his  hand  on  the 
nearest  mustang,  but  the  horse  reared,  and  struck  at  the  greaser  with  his 
fore  feet,  and  then  bit  at  the  man  in  a  vicious  manner.  The  Mexican  did 
not  seem  surprised  at  the  attack.  He  easily  avoided  it,  and  then  hit 
the  brute  over  the  flank  with  a  stick,  and  the  animal  loped  along  the  trail 
for  a  few  fathoms,  then  stopped  suddenly,  and  glanced  back,  as  if  he  had 
forgotten  something,  and  could  not  tell  what  it  was. 

"  He  is  looking  for  his  savage  master,"  the  Mexican  remarked.  "  It  is 
curious  that  the  mustang  should  love  one  who  treats  him  as  ill  as  an 


Lewey  and  L  147 


Apache  warrior.  The  more  abuse,  the  longer  the  journey,  the  greater  re- 
gard. It  is  singular,  but  true.  Now  let  us  find  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  if 
they  are  dead.  Here  is  blood  on  the  grass.  You  must  have  hit  them  hard 
to  make  them  fall  from  the  backs  of  their  horses.  Ready  with  your  guns, 
and  be  on  the  watch,  for  there  is  no  knowing  what  the  diablos  may  be  up 
to  in  the  tall  grass.  If  they  are  not  dead  they  can  do  us  mischief.  Be  very 
careful." 

We  sent  the  dogs  into  the  chapparel,  and  then  followed  them  very  cau- 
tiously, our  rifles  all  ready  for  action.  We  did  not  have  far  to  go,  as  the 
trail  of  the  wounded  savages  was  quite  distinct,  and  well  denned  by  drops 
of  blood.  In  a  clump  of  grass  one  Apache  was  lying,  still  alive,  but  in  the 
agonies  of  death.  He  looked  at  us  with  a  scowl  of  hate  on  his  painted  face, 
and  then  commenced  to  chant  his  dying  song,  for  he  knew  that  there  was 
no  mercy  in  the  dark,  swarthy  face  of  the  Mexican. 

"  Ladrone  of  the  devil,"  the  greaser  cried,  "your  time  has  come.  Go  to 
the  fiend  who  created  you,"  and,  before  we  could  interfere,  he  had  seized 
the  warrior's  lance,  and  drove  it  through  the  red  man's  body. 

"  So  perish  all  the  enemies  of  Mexico,"  the  greaser  shouted,  and  re- 
peated the  blow. 

The  Apache  gave  a  gasp,  and  was  dead. 

"  It  was  a  cruel  deed,"  Lewey  remarked,  and  turned  away  with  a 
shudder. 

"  If  you  knew  the  painted  devils  as  well  as  I  do  you  would  not  think  so," 
was  the  reply,  "  They  will  torture  the  life  out  of  you,  and  laugh  at  your 
groans.  They  spare  neither  women  nor  children.  Should  I  save  him  from 
the  death  he  so  well  merits?  Let  the  buzzards  feast  on  his  flesh,  and 
the  coyotes  pick  his  bones,  for  his  race  has  ended  forever." 

We  sent  the  dogs  on  the  other  trail,  and  found  the  body  of  the  Indian, 
but  there  was  no  life  in  his  hideous  carcass.  He  must  have  been  a  petty 
chief,  for  his  lance  was  ornamented  with  several  long  locks  of  hair,  looking 
like  a  woman's,  and  his  leggings  were  embroidered  with  the  quills  of  a  por- 
cupine, the  work  of  some  squaw  he  had  left  at  home  to  mourn  for  his  ab- 
sence, or  rejoice  at  his  death,  just  according  to  his  domestic  relations,  for  I 
suppose  Indian  females  are  like  their  white  sisters  in  this  respect  at  least, 
and  judge  of  a  husband  by  his  treatment. 

We  left  the  bodies  where  we  had  found  them,  the  horses  waiting  patient- 
ly for  their  masters,  and  returned  to  the  ranche,  where  the  Mexican  wife  re- 
ceived us  with  a  smile  of  approval.  Our  animals  were  safe,  and  Florencia 
had  taken  the  precaution  to  remove  the  saddles,  and  piquette  the  beasts 


148  Lewey  and  f. 


near  the  house,  where  the  ,grass  was  abundant  and  fresh.  She  evidently 
did  not  intend  that  we  should  resume  our  journey  immediately,  and  her  fa- 
ther was  of  the  same  opinion,  for  he  said,  — 

"You  must  wait  until  tomorrow  before  you  start.  There  may  be  more 
Apaches  on  the  trail,  and  if  you  should  meet  them  perhaps  they  would  be 
better  prepared  for  a  fight  than  those  who  have  fallen.  This  is  the  safest 
place  for  you  for  a  short  time  at  least."  v 

The  young  girl's  face  showed  some  of  the  pleasure  she  felt  at  her  father's 
words,  but  she  did  not  raise  her  eyes  from  the  ground,  or  appear  to  hear 
her  parent's  advice.  Lewey  stole  a  look  at  me  to  see  how  I  received  the 
announcement.  I  was  a  little  perplexed.  There  was  danger  in  advancing, 
or  in  remaining  where  we  were,  but  my  friend,  in  a  tone  of  great  sincerity, 
remarked,  — 

"  You  can  trust  me,  Thorn.  I  swear  to  you  by  our  friendship  dat  I  vill 
not  say  one  vord  to  de  girl  I  should  not  be  villing  for  you  to  hear." 

I  had  confidence  in  his  word,  trusted  him,  and  agreed  to  remain  where  we 
were  until  the  next  morning. 

**  By  the  way,"  said  the  father,  as  he  lighted  a  cigarette,  an  example 
which  his  wife  followed,  as  soon  as  we  had  passed  them  a  package,  and  he 
looked  at  his  daughter  a  little  suspiciously,  "  what  were  you  doing  so  far 
from  the  house  this  morning?  and  why  did  you  not  remain  to  bid  our 
guests  God  speed  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  think  they  would  care  for  my  good  wishes,"  was  the  reply, 
thus  showing  that  a  Mexican  girl  can  equal  an  American  maiden  in  equivo- 
cating when  there  is  occasion  to  deceive  a  father,  and  keep  secret  her 
love. 

"  But  you  were  a  long  way  from  the  house,"  the  Mexican  said.  "  Had  it 
not  been  for  these  senors  you  would  now  be  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the 
Apaches.  You  must  be  more  careful  in  the  future  how  you  take  solitary 
rambles." 

"  I  was  in  search  of  quail's  eggs.  I  know  where  there  is  a  covy  in  the 
chapparel,"  the  girl  answered,  and  a  blush  mantled  her  dark  cheeks  as  she 
spoke. 

The  reply  seemed  to  satisfy  the  father  that  her  errand  from  home  was  a 
legitimate  one,  so  he  did  not  deem  further  explanation  necessary.  He 
again  thanked  us  for  saving  the  child  from  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  and  in 
this  the  mother  joined  most  heartily,  and,  to  prove  that  she  was  sincere, 
made  ample  preparations  for  a  dinner,  and  an  olia  that  should  surpass  all  of 
her  previous  efforts. 


Lewey  and  /.  149 


The  sun  came  out  hot.  We  lounged  in  the  courtyard,  our  rifles  and 
pistols  all  ready  in  case  more  Indians  should  make  their  appearance,  and 
\ve  did  not  know  but  a  few  of  the  tribe  might  put  in  an  appearance,  search- 
ing for  their  lost  comrades.  We  neither  saw  nor  heard  any  suspicious 
movements,  however,  until  about  eleven  o'clock,  when  both  dogs  grew  un- 
easy, and  uttered  short  yelps  of  anger. 

The  Mexican,  as  he  noticed  the  movements  of  the  animals,  dropped  on 
his  knees,  placed  one  of  his  ears  close  to  the  ground,  and  listened  long  and 
attentively. 

"  A  horseman  is  approaching  us  on  a  swift  lope,"  he  said.  "  He  is  not 
an  Indian,  and  the  beast  is  guided  by  bit  and  bridle.  To  prevent  mistakes, 
however,  let  us  be  prepared  to  give-  the  stranger  a  warm  reception." 

We  could  hear  nothing,  but  in  a  minute  or  more  the  swift  beat  of  a 
horse's  feet  were  noticed,  and  along  the  trail,  from  the  direction  of  Los  An- 
geles, came  a  Mexican  half-breed,  superbly  mounted  on  a  showy  mustang, 
his  scrape  streaming  over  his  shoulders  as  he  dashed  along,  his  broad  som- 
brero on  the  back  of  his  head,  and  his  long,  black,  coarse  hair  fluttering  in 
the  wind. 

"  It  is  Pedro,"  the  Mexican  said,  as  he  dropped  the  butt  of  his  heavy 
musket. 

"  And  who  is  Pedro  ?  "  I  asked,  as  the  horseman  approached. 

"  The  government  courier.  He  rides  between  San  Diego  and  Los  Ange- 
les with  despatches.  It  is  a  lonely  journey  for  him,  and  full  of  danger,  but 
the  man  is  well  paid,  and  likes  his  work.  There  is  no  better  horseman  in 
California  than  Pedro,"  and  our  host  prepared  to  give  the  new-comer  a 
warm  welcome,  for  it  was  evident  he  intended  to  stop,  as  he  waved  a  hand 
in  our  direction,  and  shouted  out  a  Mexican  salutation  and  greeting. 

Pedro,  who  was  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  thin  and  muscular,  short, 
but  graceful  in  the  saddle,  threw  his  horse  on  Its  haunches  when  within  a 
short  distance  of  us,  stopping  him  so  suddenly  that  the  feet  ploughed  up 
the  dirt  and  grass  for  some  distance.  Then  the  vaquero  sprang  from  his 
saddle,  and,  as  he  touched  the  ground,  saluted  all  present  by  removing  his 
sombrero,  and  said,  — 

"Buenos  dias  senora,  senorita,  y  senors,"  and,  leaving  his  steaming 
horse  where  he  had  halted,  tiptoed  to  the  fire,  lighted  a  cigarette,  and  took 
a  survey  of  the  company  present. 

He  was  a  smart-looking  fellow,  with  eyes  as  black  and  keen  as  a  hawk's, 
just  the  kind  of  a  man  who  would  do  a  little  fighting  if  there  was  any  occa- 
sion for  it,  or  running,  if  that  was  better  and  safer  than  rough  work. 


150  Lewey  and  /. 


He  unbuckled  the  huge  spurs  from  his  heels,  laid  aside  the  light  carbine 
which  he  carried  slung  over  his  shoulder,  placed  the  long,  sharp  knife  and 
pistols  with  the  gun,  and  then  asked,  — 

"  Who  are  these  senors  ?  "  and  motioned  toward  Lewey  and  myself. 

"  Two  French  caballeros,  on  their  way  up  the  coast,"  our  host 
answered. 

"  Bueno,"  was  the  response.     "  I  feared  they  were  Americanos." 

"  Why  should  you  fear  they  were  Americanos  ?  "  asked  our  host. 

"  Because  war  is  declared  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  and 
we  cannot  be  too  careful  of  all  sospechosos." 

"  It  matters  but  little  what  country  a  man  comes  from  if  he  helps  me  at 
a  pinch,  as  these  young  caballeros  have  done  this  morning,"  our  Mexican 
host  answered.  "  American  or  French,  they  have  my  thanks." 

"  Ah,  you  have  had  a  brush  with  the  wild  Indians  ?  "  asked  the  courier. 
"  I  saw  a  dead  horse  on  the  trail,  and  flocks  of  buzzards  hovering  over  the 
chapparel,  as  if  they  were  about  to  make  an  attack  on  a  corpse  or  injured 
bullock.  Did  you  kill  any  of  the  ladrones  ?  " 

"  Four  of  them  have  gone  to  their  happy  hunting-grounds,  three  by  the 
hands  of  these  young  senors,  and  one  by  the  aid  of  my  old  musket,  which 
you  always  laugh  at." 

"  I  will  laugh  at  it  no  more,  amigo,  if  you  have  sent  an  Indian  to  the  in- 
fernal regions  where  they  belong.  What  were  they  ?  Apaches  ?  "  asked 
the  courier. 

"  Yes,  and  on  a  raid  for  cattle  and  prisoners.  These  senors  saved  my 
daughter  this  morning,  and  shot  those  beasts  who  would  have  captured  her. 
Think  how  much  I  owe  them,  and  why  I  should  not  stop  to  ask  where  their 
country  is  located,"  and  the  Mexican  looked  some  of  the  gratification  he 
felt 

"  Diablo,"  the  courier  said,  as  he  removed  his  sombrero,  and  extended 
his  hand,  "it  was  a  deed  worthy  of  a  Mexican.  Frenchmen  or  Americans 
should  be  proud  of  killing  an  Indian,  and  doubly  grand  when  it  is  an  ac- 
cursed Apache,  whom  the  saints  may  consign  to  the  eternal  region  of  fire 
for  al[  I  care.  Senors,  I  am  pleased  to  shake  hands  with  such  bueno  hom- 
bres.  Hereafter  command  me  in  everything." 

We  shook  hands  with  great  heartiness,  and  offered  the  courier  a  fresh 
cigarette,  which  he  accepted  with  a  profusion  of  thanks. 

"You  ride  fast  today,  Senor  Pedro,"  the  Mexican  host  said,  after  the 
ceremony  had  been  performed.  "Is  there  such  pressing  news  that  you 
must  scour  the  earth  with  your  horse's  feet  ? " 


Lewey  and  I.  151 


"Santa  Maria,  I  should  say  so.  The  American  gringos  are  mustering  at  the 
North,  and  General  Castro  has  shaken  them  up,  and  is  preparing  to  drive 
the  accursed  heretics  into  the  mountains,  where  they  can  starve.  A  war 
ship  is  at  San  Pedro,  and  the  people  of  Los  Angeles  fear  that  the  marine- 
ros  will  march  by  land,  and  attack  the  town.  I  have  despatches  to  the  al- 
calda  of  San  Diego,  praying  him  to  put  in  order  the  presidio,  at  the  entrance 
of  the  harbor,  and  to  give  the  heretics  a  warm  reception,  in  case  they 
should  dare  to  venture  near  in  one  of  their  ships.  Our  people  are  aroused, 
and  will  fight  for  California  until  the  last  drop  of  blood  is  shed." 

Considering  that  the  presidio  at  San  Diego  had  but  two  brass  pieces,  and 
those  were  spiked  and  useless  by  neglect,  we  did  not  think  our  ships  would 
suffer  much  while  rounding  Ballast  Point,  and  could  not  believe  that  all  the 
greasers  of  the  State  were  prepared  to  die  for  the  Mexican  flag  just  at  pres- 
ent. The  news  did  not  alarm  us  in  the  least,  as  we  had  heard  just  such 
rumors  before.  We  thought  that  Captain  Fremont  and  his  men  could  take 
care  of  themselves,  and  not  get  much  hurt,  and  the  result  justified  our 
crude  opinions. 

"  This  is  indeed  news,"  our  host  said.  "  You  must  rest  here,  and  eat,  so 
that  you  can  go  on  in  the  afternoon.  I  will  give  you  a  fresh  horse  when 
ready  to  start,  and  you  can  take  yours  when  returning,  if  the  accursed  In- 
dians do  not  run  it  off  with  the  rest  of  the  stock." 

This  was  a  common  practice,  and  excited  no  expression  of  gratitude.  I 
looked  with  admiration  at  the  courier's  steed,  for  it  was  a  noble  animal,  and 
gentle  as  it  was  fast. 

"  Let  me  exchange  with  you,"  I  said  to  Pedro.  "  I  like  your  horse. 
Mine  is  fresh,  and  can  carry  a  man  to  San  Diego  by  midnight.  I  will  give 
you  a  dollar,  —  for,  although  I  am  poor,  I  have  that  amount  of  money,  — 
in  addition  to  my  caballo,  for  yours." 

"  Senor,"  said  the  courier.  "  the  horse  is  no  longer  mine.  May  you  be 
happy  with  him.  He  is  a  noble  brute,  and  true  as  gold,"  and  the  man  held 
out  his  hand  for  the  eight-real  piece,  took  it,  tested  it  with  his  teeth,  to  see 
that  it  was  not  counterfeit,  and  seemed  satisfied  with  his  bargain,  for  he 
grinned. 

This  may  seem  a  cheap  price,  but  our  host  would  have  been  glad  to  have 
disposed  of  all  the  horses  on  the  ranche  for  a  dollar  each,  and  thought  him- 
self well  paid. 

"  Courage,  amigo,"  the  Mexican  said,  as  he  noticed  Lewey's  face,  a  little 
downcast  at  the  thought  of  my  being  better  mounted  than  himself.  "  You 
shall  have  a  caballo  equally  as  good,  and  it  sha'n't  cost  you  anything  either. 


152  Lewey  and  I. 


Florencia,  can  you  find  the  bay  bronco,  the  one  I  have  ridden  so  often,  and 
drive  him  to  the  corral  this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  Yes,  padre,"  was  the  ready  answer.  "  I  know  where  he  is  feeding  when 
the  sun  goes  down."  and  a  flush  of  pleasure  passed  over  her  handsome 
face,  as  she  thought  of  the  happiness  she  was  to  render  her  lover. 

Pedro  looked  at  the  girl  with  the  admiration  he  did  not  attempt  to  con- 
ceal, and  I  thought  that  I  could  account  for  the  rest  he  was  taking  at  the 
lonely  ranche,  even  if  his  despatches  were  urgent.  He  was  in  love,  like  my 
friend,  but  was  a  more  suitable  match  for  the  girl  than  Lewey,  and  I  won- 
dered she  did  not  fancy  the  dark-eyed  vaquero,  who  had  all  the  brilliant 
qualities  calculated  to  win  a  doncellito  in  her  station  of  life.  But  she  pre- 
ferred a  white  face  and  blue  eyes,  as  the  contrast  was  more  striking  than  a 
dark  skin  such  as  she  possessed. 

I  went  to  my  purchase,  stripped  the  saddle  from  his  back,  and  then  pi- 
quetted  him  where  the  feed  was  good,  rubbed  the  perspiration  from  his 
flanks  and  back,  and  the  brute  seemed  to  like  the  attention,  for  he  put  his 
nose  against  my  shoulder,  and  uttered  a  whinny  of  delight  at  such  treat- 
ment, something  he  had  never  experienced  at  the  hands  of  his  former 
owner. 

Our  Mexican  host  and  the  courier  laughed  at  the  exhibition  I  was  mak- 
ing, and  even  the  wife  smiled  in  a  sarcastic  manner,  but  Florencia  seemed 
to  approve  of  my  doings,  for  she  gave  me  a  glance  from  her  expressive 
black  eyes  that  would  have  made  Pedro  happy  for  a  day,  had  he  been  the 
recipient  of  the  great  favor. 

Not  content  with  my  ministration,  I  led  the  horse  to  the  spring  for  a 
drink  of  fresh  water,  but  he  did  not  seem  to  care  for  it,  as  it  was  not  his 
usual  time  for  drinking,  morning  and  evening  being  the  hours  in  which  he 
was  accustomed  to  quench  his  thirst,  when  water  was  convenient,  and  his 
master  not  too  indolent  to  turn  him  toward  a  river  or  pond.  Then  I  pro- 
cured a  couple  of  quarts  of  barley,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the 
animal  feed  as  if  he  liked  the  grain,  and  appreciated  the  attention. 

"  You  would  spoil  a  mustang  in  two  weeks,"  Pedro  said,  as  I  returned  to 
the  group  sitting  in  the  shade  of  the  house,  and  awaiting  with  patience  for 
the  olia  which  the  wife  was  tending.  "  Our  horses  are  hardy  and  do  not 
need  any  care.  They  can  pick  up  a  living  on  the  plains,  and  think  them- 
selves fortunate  if  they  do  not  have  to  lope  a  hundred  miles  on  an  empty 
stomach.  The  more  you  pet  a  broncho  the  less  reliable  he  is,"  and  the 
h  >st  nodded  confirmation  of  the  words,  but  I  loved  animals,  and  did  not 
like  to  see  them  suffer,  or  be  abused,  and  in  this  instance  my  kindness  was 


Lewey  and  /.  153 


well  repaid  by  the  mustang  I  bought  that  day  for  a  dollar  and  a  poor  speci- 
men of  horse-flesh  thrown  in  to  boot. 

"  Did  you  hear  or  see  anything  of  the  Indians  on  your  way?"  asked  our 
host,  as  we  gathered  around  the  olia,  which  the  wife  pronounced  ready. 
It  was  made  of  cheque,  barley,  onions,  red  peppers  (rather  more  of  the  lat- 
ter than  we  relished),  potatoes,  and  a  few  herbs  to  give  it  taste  and 
seasoning. 

We  once  more  produced  our  stock  of  coffee  and  sugar,  and  gladdened  the 
heart  of  the  courier  by  giving  him  a  strong  concoction,  in  which  grounds 
and  dulce  struggled  for  supremacy.  It  was  as  nectar  to  him  and  the  others, 
GO  no  one  found  any  fault. 

'  "I  left  the  Ranche  Vallecito  last  night,"  Pedro  said,  in  answer  to  the 
question  of  our  host.  "  There  were  no  signs  of  Indians  at  the  time  in  that 
vicinity,  and  I  saw  no  one  on  the  trail.  I  think  the  band  you  killed  were 
out  of  their  usual  course,  and  that  nothing  more  will  be  seen  of  the  ladrones 
between  here  and  San  Diego,  unless  they  strike  Francia's  ranche,  and,  if 
they  do,  will  hurry  the  captured  cattle  towards  the  canyons  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  so  escape  all  pursuit,  even  if  our  people  were  prepared  to  give 
chase,  which  1  don't  think  they  will  be.  The  Mexican  is  brave,  but  he 
loves  not  the  yell  of  wild  Indians,"  and  I  did  not  blame  him  if  all  the 
Apaches  screamed  like  those  we  had  encountered  in  the  morning. 

The  courier  then  gave  us  some  valuable  information  concerning  the 
route,  what  streams  we  would  have  to  ford,  and  canyons  to  pass  through, 
mentioning  especially  the  Seco  Canyon  as  being  dangerous,  dark,  and 
dreary,  with  high  and  rugged  mountains  on  either  side,  and  a  little  stream 
of  clear,  sparkling  water  meandering  down  the  course,  and  emptying  into 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  at  some  distant  point.  In  fact,  we  found  the  journey  we 
had  before  us  was  more  difficult  than  we  had  contemplated,  but  we  were  de- 
termined not  to  give  up  the  undertaking,  but  to  push  on,  and  hope  for  suc- 
cess as  we  advanced. 

We  hinted  that  we  should  like  to  wait  at  some  point  on  the  way  until  the 
courier  made  his  return  journey,  but  Pedro  did  not  seem  to  favor  the 
plan. 

"  In  the  first  place,"  he  said,  "  I  do  not  know  when  I  shall  again  pass  this 
way.  It  will  depend  upon  the  alcalda  of  San  Diego.  He  may  desire  that  I 
remain  for  important  information,  and  when  I  do  start  I  shall  spare  neither 
horse-flesh  nor  myself.  You  could  not  keep  up  with  me  for  ten  hours  with- 
out tumbling  from  your  saddles  with  fatigue.  Better  go  on  alone,  and  fol- 
low the  trail  as  well  as  you  can.  Stop  at  the  few  ranches  you  may  see,  rest, 


Lewey  and  I. 


and  inquire  your  way,  and  may  the  saints  have  you  in  their  keeping,"  and 
then  the  courier,  with  his  great  appetite  satisfied,  threw  himself  upon  the 
ground,  under  the  shadow  of  the  adobj  house,  and  in  an  instant  was  fast 
asleep,  resting  himself  for  the  work  before  him  that  afternoon  and  evening, 
on  his  lonely  ride  to  San  Diego,  the  trail  of  which  he  was  not  certain  was 
clear  of  Indians. 

Our  Mexican  host,  seeing  no  more  signs  of  Apaches,  skinned  the  dead 
mountain  lion,  and  then  sent  out  his  daughter  on  a  spare  horse  to  drive  in 
the  bay  broncho  which  he  had  promised  to  present  Lewey.  The  young  girl 
accepted  the  mission  as  one  of  no  particular  danger  or  importance.  She 
sprang  into  the  saddle  as  light  as  a  cat,  and  did  not  assume  the  position  that 
ladies  usually  do,  for  her  feet  were  thrust  in  the  stirrups  on  either  side  of 
the  animal.  In  fact,  she  rode  like  a  man,  and  did  not  think  it  unbecoming 
to  her  modesty  to  do  so,  as  she  had  never  been  taught  that  her  style  was  un- 
womanly. She  was  right,  for  a  side  saddle  would  have  been  out  of  place  in 
that  wilderness. 

Florencia  sat  her  horse  as  gracefully  and  easy  as  a  trained  caballero,  and, 
as  she  struck  the  animal  on  the  flank  with  the  end  of  a  reata,  coiled  up  on 
the  pommel  of  her  saddle,  and  darted  out  of  the  courtyard,  Lewey  could  not 
help  expressing  his  admiration  in  warm  words  of  praise,  for  he  turned  to 
me,  and  said,  — 

"  Dat  is  de  most  booful  sight  dat  I  have  seed  for  many  a  day.  Ah,  mon 
ami,  she  is  grand  on  de  foot,  but  in  de  saddle  she  is  von  bonne  fille,  and  I 
adore  her." 

"  Has  your  love  for  Engracia  vanished  so  soon  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  No,"  was  the  hesitating  reply;  "  but  den  dis  girl  is  somehow  so  differ- 
ent, and  a  real  Frenchman  can  love  many  times,  and  many  dings,  and  be 
none  de  vusser  for  it." 

"  Remember  your  promise,"  I  said.  "  That  courier  Pedro  loves  the  girl, 
and  would  cut  you  into  mince-meat  if  he  thought  you  had  the  slightest  af- 
fection for  the  senorita.  A  Mexican's  jealousy  is  only  equaled  by  the  in- 
tensity of  his  love.  A  sharp-pointed  knife  has  put  many  a  rival  under  the 
sod,  and  out  of  the  way.  Be  warned  in  time,  my  friend,  and  keep  your  feel- 
ings to  yourself." 

"  She  loves  him  not,"  was  the  answer,  with  a  doleful  sigh.  "  She  has 
told  me  dat  she  likes  me,  and  I  believes  her/' 

She  must  have  made  the  confession  the  night  before,  when  I  interrupted 
the  tete-a-tete,  showing  that  love  sometimes  makes  quick  work  with  young 
and  susceptible  hearts. 


Lewey  and  /.  155 


In  an  hour's  time  Florencia  returned  with  the  promised  bay,  a  horse  of 
great  beauty  and  power,  but  not  so  handsome,  I  thought,  as  my  own.  She 
drove  him  into  the  corral,  and  then  secured  the  rather  wild  steed,  shifting 
the  saddle  from  the  mustang  which  she  had  ridden,  to  the  animal  which  she 
had  brought  in. 

"  Why  do  you  do  that  ?  "  asked  her  father,  for  we  had  gathered  around 
to  see  the  new-comer. 

"  The  beast  is  wild,  and  needs  discipline,"  she  said.  "  He  has  not  been 
ridden  for  a  month,  and  the  senor  to  whom  you  have  given  him  is  a 
stranger  to  all  of  a  mustang's  unruly  movements.  I  will  tame  him  by  a 
short  ride,  and  then  tomorrow  he  will  carry  the  visitor  away  from  us  like 
the  wind,  and  perhaps  we  shall  never  see  either  again." 

It  is  probable  that  the  girl  meant  more  than    her  father  comprehended, 
for  he  made  no  reply,  but  allowed  his   daughter  to  carry  out  her  designs. 
Alone  she  put  on  the  thick  sweat-cloth  and   heavy  saddle,  thrust  the  cruel 
curb    into  his  mouth,  even  if  the   broncho  did  resist,  adjusted  the  bridle, 
vaulted  into  her  seat,  and  dashed  from  the  corral    as  if  pursued  by  a  pack 
of  hungry  coyotes,  and,  as  her  graceful  form  swayed   with  every  motion  of 
the  fiery  beast,  and  her  long  black  hair  streamed  in  the  air,  like  a  thousand 
tiny  pennants,  bare  headed,  without  shoes  or  stockings,  her  position  on  the 
horse  revealing  a  generous  view  of  little  ankles,  and  well  formed  legs,  I 
could  not  help  feeling  enamoured  with  this  child  of  nature,  who  knew  how 
to   love,  but  did  not  understand  many    of     the   refinements  of  civilized 
society. 

"Ah,  she  grows  more  booful  every  moment,"  Lewey  muttered,  and  I 
mentally  cursed  the  Apaches,  and  our  luck  in  being  detained  another  night 
at  the  ranche,  as  I  feared  for  my  friend  and  the  girl,  and  that  Lewey 's  ad- 
miration would  overpower  his  reason. 

Florencia  returned  after  an  hour's  ride,  her  horse  covered  with  foam,  but 
quite  subdued,  and  ready  to  obey  the  slightest  wish  of  his  rider.  The  girl 
did  not  think  she  deserved  any  particular  praise  for  what  she  had  done, 
and  seemed  surprised  at  our  compliments.  She  had  been  accustomed  to 
cattle  and  horses  from  the  time  of  her  birth,  and  for  many  years  had  helped 
her  parent  round  in  his  stock,  when  it  was  necessary  to  do  so  for  the  sake 
of  branding  the  calves  and  yearlings. 

The  girl  reported  that  she  had  met  with  no  signs  of  Indians,  and  that 
her  father's  stock  appeared  to  be  undistrubed,  so  we  arrived  at  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  courier's  supposition  was  correct,  and  that  the  Apaches  we 
had  killed  were  but  a  portion  of  the  band,  and  had  wandered  our  way  in 


156  Lewey  and  I. 


the  hope  of  securing  new  fields  for  plunder,  and  had  met  with  a  just 
fate. 

By  this  time  it  was  four  o'clock,  and  Pedro  was  awake,  and  ready  to  re- 
sume his  journey.  He  saddled  the  horse  I  had  traded  with  him,  and  did 
not  seem  to  think  that  I  had  cheated  the  government  official  very  badly, 
and  I  came  to  the  same  conclusion  as  soon  as  Pedro  mounted  the  mustang, 
for  the  animal  appeared  to  be  a  different  beast  when  the  skillful  vaquero 
was  in  the  saddle,  as  he  knew  how  to  manage  him  much  better  than  my- 
self. He  did  not  spare  the  spurs,  or  the  heavy  curb,  and,  \\hen  he  raised 
his  sombrero  to  Florencia,  and  waved  his  hand  to  us,  and  said,  "  Adios, 
senors,"  dashed  away  at  a  rate  of  speed  that  I  thought  impossible  in  the 
broncho,  and  I  imagined  my  new  acquisition  would  have  had  some  trouble 
in  keeping  in  line. 

Florencia  had  given  Pedro  a  little  smile  in  return  for  his  salutation.  It 
was  not  much,  but  the  best-the  poor  fellow  could  obtain,  and  I  wondered, 
as  I  saw  him  press  his  steed  up  the  steep  trail,  and  then  glance  back  to  the 
house  for  a  final  salutation,  if  he  felt  encouraged  by  what  he  had  received. 
The  next  moment  he  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  miniature  mountain,  and 
that  was  the  last  we  saw  of  him  for  some  days,  and  then  he  made  his  ap- 
pearance at  a  most  important  moment,  as  far  as  our  destinies  were  con- 
cerned, and  the  good  he  rendered  us  was  not  forgotten. 

The  afternoon  and  evening  wore  away  in  a  listless  manner.  Lewey  kept 
at  a  distance  from  Florencia,  and  she  rather  avoided  him,  I  thought,  so  I 
had  nothing  to  worry  about,  and,  when  the  time  arrived  for  us  to  retire, 
the  Mexican  advised  us  to  have  our  rifles  handy  for  immediate  use,  as  he 
did  not  know  but  a  marauding  party  of  Indians  might  visit  us.  He  kept  no 
watch,  however,  as  he  said  that  his  dog  would  give  us  all  the  notice  we 
needed,  in  case  there  were  prowlers  near,  as  he  could  scent  the  Apaches 
for  a  long  distance. 

To  prevent  Jack  from  getting  into  trouble  with  prowling  coyotes,  or  ad- 
venturous Indians,  we  tied  him  in  the  out- building,  close  to  where  we  slept, 
and,  after  a  smoke  by  the  fire,  turned  in,  and  slept  all  night,  and  I  do  not 
think  that  Lewey  moved,  or  even  rolled  over,  until  daylight,  thus  showing 
he  was  a  lad  of  his  word,  and  was  honest  in  what  he  said  when  we  returned 
to  the  house  after  the  fight  with  the  Indians. 

We  fed  and  watered  our  horses,  and  they  seemed  in  perfect  order  for  the 
journey,  and  then  the  wife  had  our  breakfast  all  ready,  and,  just  about  an 
hour  after  sunrise,  we  prepared  to  depart.  This  time  Florencia  did  not  dis- 
appear from  the  house.  She  sat  in  the  doorway,  and  watched  our  proceed- 


Lewev  and  I.  157 


ings  with  a  listless  look,  and  not  a  word  did  she  exchange  with  us  until  we 
were  ready  to  mount  and  away.  Then,  hat  in  hand,  I  went  to  her,  and  said 
good-by,  took  her  dark  little  hand  in  mine,  gave  it  a  gentle  squeeze,  and  ut- 
tered a  few  words  of  civility. 

"  You  are  very  kind,  senor,"  she  said.  "  I  hope  you  will  come  back  to  us 
some  day  not  far  distant. 

I  stood  aside,  and  let  Lewey  take  my  place.  He  spoke  in  a  low  tone,  so 
I  could  not  hear  what  he  said,  even  if  I  had  cared  to  listen,  but  I  noticed 
there  were  tears  in  Florencia's  eyes  as  she  arose,  and  passed  into  the 
house,  and  that  was  the  last  we  saw  of  her  for  some  months. 

We  shook  hands  with  the  Mexican  and  his  wife,  mounted  our  impatient 
mustangs,  and  were  off,  the  woman  asking  the  saints  to  protect  us  during 
our  journey,  and  to  come  again  when  we  desired. 

As  we  loped  along,  not  speaking  a  word,  we  came  to  the  scene  of  the  en- 
counter the  day  before.  The  bones  of  dead  the  horse  were  picked  nearly 
clean  by  coyotes  and  buzzards,  while  in  the  chapparel,  where  the  Indians 
had  died,  were  large  numbers  of  the  bird  scavengers,  gorging  themselves 
with  their  disgusting  feast,  and  striving  with  the  sly  coyote  for  a  full  share 
of  flesh  and  bones.  They  did  not  move  as  we  approached,  except  the  lat- 
ter, and  they  simply  hid  in  the  tall  rushes,  and  returned  as  soon  as  we  had 
passed  on  our  way,  shuddering  as  we  thought  what  might  have  been  our 
fate  had  the  battle  gone  against  us. 

We  pressed  on  during  the  forenoon,  and  about  twelve  o'clock  stopped 
near  a  small  stream  that  came  from  the  mountains  on  our  right,  high  and 
rugged,  the  tops  appearing  to  be  covered  with  snow,  but  we  were  so  far 
from  them  that  we  could  not  be  positive  on  that  point,  and  for  a  while  im- 
agined that  what  we  supposed  was  snow  were  marble  ledges. 

On  the  banks  of  the  little  brook,  near  where  there  was  a  ford,  across 
which  the  trail  was  well  defined,  we  halted  for  rest  and  luncheon.  There 
were  no  signs  of  Indians,  but  the  footprints  of  the  courier's  horse  were  dis- 
tinct in  the  soft  ground,  and  there  were  no  others  near,  showing  that  he  had 
not  been  followed  by  the  Apaches. 

We  piquetted  our  horses,  after  removing  the  saddles,  and  they  found 
plenty  of  feed  near  the  stream.  Then,  while  Lewey  was  gathering  dry 
grass  and  fagots  to  start  a  fire,  I  took  a  fish-line,  a  bit  of  salt  meat  for  bait, 
and  tried  my  luck  in  the  little  brook.  Lewey  said  that  he  would  eat  all  the 
trout  I  caught,  as  he  had  but  little  faith  in  the  experiment.  The  hook,  how- 
ever, had  hardly  touched  the  water  when  there  was  a  rise,  a  rush,  and  I  had 
on  my  line  a  two-pound  trout,  and  was  compelled  to  haul  him  in  hand  over 


158  Lewey  and  I. 


hand,  as  I  had  neglected  to  cut  a  pole,  and  could  not  play  the  prize  as  I 
should  like  to  have  done. 

I  held  the  spotted  fish  up  after  it  was  landed,  and  uttered  a  yell  of 
triumph.  My  French  friend  gave  one  look,  and  ran  toward  me. 

"  Dat  is  good,  by  gar,"  he  said.  "  Let  me  de  next  one  catch,  and  ebber 
so  much  obliged  I  to  you  vill  be.  I  knows  how  de  fish  to  take." 

As  a  general  thing  all  Frenchmen  think  they  are  great  sportsmen  and 
fishermen,  and  my  friend  was  no  exception  to  the  general  rule.  I  readily 
let  him  have  the  use  of  the  line,  for  he  would  have  humored  me  under  simi- 
lar circumstances. 

"  Now  I  vill  you  show,"  he  said,  and  threw  the  hook  into  the  water. 
There  was  another  rush,  a  bigger  trout,  an  anxious  boy,  a  struggle,  and 
then  over  the  bank  went  Lewey,  for,  in  his  eagerness,  he  had  not  noticed 
where  he  stepped,  and  tumbled  in  the  stream. 

"  Hold  on  to  the  fish,  Lewey,"  I  shouted,  as  soon  as  I  could  do  so,  for  I 
laughed  so  heartily  that  I  did  not  speak  for  a  moment.  Really  it  \\as 
very  funny  to  see  the  French  boy  blowing  the  mud  and  water  from  his 
mouth,  uttering  not  the  choicest  of  Spanish  and  English  expressions,  yet 
retaining  his  hold  of  the  line,  and  the  trout  at  the  same  time. 

As  the  brook  was  but  little  more  than  four  feet  deep,  not  much  damage 
was  done,  except  to  the  boy's  clothes,  and,  when  he  had  frightened  the  life 
out  of  the  fish,  or  drowned  it  by  his  pulling  and  hauling  on  the  line,  we  laid 
the  prize  on  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and  then  Lewey  uttered  a  mighty  shout 
of  triumph. 

"  Did  you  ebber  seed  such  fishin'  as  dat  ?  "  he  asked,  as  soon  as  his 
transports  moderated. 

"  Never,"  was  my  answer.     "  Do  you  usually  fish  that  way  in  France  ?  " 

"  Alvays.  Ven  ve  gets  a  big  von  on  de  hook  ve  goes  overboard  arter 
him,"  which  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  was  a  lie,  but,  as  I  had  never 
seen  a  Frenchman  fish  before,  I  was  compelled  to  accept  his  statement  as 
a  fact  at  the  time. 

We  had  all  the  trout  we  needed  for  our  dinner.  We  could  have  caught 
hundreds  in  the  same  rapid  manner,  but  did  not  desire  to  destroy  that 
which  we  could  not  consume,  thus  proving  that  we  were  not  genuine 
sportsmen,  but  the  veriest  amateurs. 

Lewey  stripped  off  some  portions  of  his  clothing,  and  dried  them  in  the 
warm  sun  and  gentle  breeze,  while  I  dressed  the  fish,  wrapped  them  in 
leaves,  and  laid  them  among  the  hot  ashes  and  coals,  and  when  they  were 
done  we  had  a  feast  that  epicures  might  have  envied,  so  delicious  was  the 


Lewey  and  /.  159 


flesh  of  the  trout.  Even  Jack  signified  his  approval  by  eating  all  that  we 
could  not  dispose  of,  and  looked  a  little  disappointed  when  the  last  bones 
were  picked  clean,  to  think  that  there  was  no  more  for  his  consumption. 

We  lighted  our  pipes,  and  remained  under  the  shade  of  a  tree  until  nearly 
two  o'clock,  taking  a  little  siesta  in  the  meantime,  then  saddled  our  rested 
horses,  and  resumed  our  journey,  crossing  a  ford  where  the  water  was 
not  more  than  a  foot  deep,  an  embankment  thrown  up  by  some  great  flood 
of  the  rainy  season. 

As  we  galloped  along  the  trail,  looking  sharply  to  the  right  and 
left  for  signs  of  Indians  or  wild  beasts,  we  again  admired  the  action  of  our 
steeds,  as  they  moved  along  like  perfect  machinery.  The  only  trouble  was 
their  desire  to  go  faster  than  we  wished.  They  had  been  accustomed  to 
being  ridden  by  men  who  spared  neither  spurs  nor  horseflesh  when  in  a 
hurry,  and  we  had  to  coax  and  pat  our  caballos  to  restrain  their  impatience, 
and  keep  them  down  to  ten  miles  an  hour,  instead  of  fifteen  or  more. 

They  understood  our  wishes  at  last,  and  kept  side  by  side,  but  if  one 
poked  his  nose  an  inch  in  advance  the  other  was  not  happy  until  he  had 
made  up  the  deficiency. 

It  was  a  magnificent  country  we  passed  through  that  afternoon,  as  all  the 
land  was  good  for  raising  cattle,  the  grass  being  rank  and  plentiful,  with 
hera  and  there  a  spring  or  a  water-course.  I  suppose  that  the  whole  of 
that  region  is  now  covered  with  fields  of  grain,  and  vast  herds  of  bullocks, 
with  houses  and  orchards  all  along  the  route  we  crossed.  Once  in  a  while 
we  would  come  to  a  sterile  district,  where  the  sand  was  heavy,  and  hardly  a 
shrub  was  to  be  seen  for  miles,  and-  on  several  occasions  we  saw  great  rat- 
tlesnakes in  our  path,  too  indolent  to  move  out  of  the  way,  and  all  ready  to 
strike  if  we  approached  them,  which  we  had  no  great  desire  to  do.  At  first 
we  had  some  little  trouble  with  Jack,  as  the  dog  wanted  to  go  in  pursuit  of 
everything  that  he  scented,  and  a  rattlesnake  he  thought  was  something 
like  an  eel,  to  be  well  shaken,  and  then  devoured.  But  a  few  warning  cries, 
and  some  gentle  blows  with  the  end  of  a  reata,  brought  our  pet  to  a  sense 
of  his  danger,  and  then  he  gave  snakes  a  wide  berth,  following  directly  in 
the  wake  of  our  horses'  heels,  so  that  he  would  be  sure  and  make  no 
mistake. 

Once  the  mustangs  shied  out  of  the  trail  with  a  sudden  leap,  and  both  of 
us  reeled  in  our  saddles.  If  they  had  not  been  of  California  construction 
—  deep,  and  high  in  front  and  rear  —  we  would  have  had  a  narrow  escape 
of  falling  to  the  ground,  and  near  two  large  rattlesnakes,  basking  in  the  sun, 
on  a  strip  of  hot  sand.  The  fright  made  Lewey  so  angry  that  he  checked 


Lewey  and  I. 


his  horse,  and  swore  that  he  would  go  back,  and  kill  the  reptiles.  As  his 
blood  was  up  I  held  his  mustang  until  he  could  accomplish  the  job. 

My  friend,  armed  with  a  lot  of  stones,  retraced  his  steps,  followed  by 
Jack,  and  then  vented  his  rage  on  the  snakes.  Even  where  I  sat  I  could 
hear  the  rattles,  as  the  taila  were  waved  in  defiance,  but  Lewey  hurled  stone 
after  stone  at  the  vermin,  and  first  one  head  was  lowered,  and  then  the 
other,  and  a  club  soon  beat  the  life  out  of  their  ill  smelling  bodies,  for  they 
gave  out  a  peculiar  odor  when  excited  that  was  powerful  and  pungent. 

"  Dar,"  said  Lewey,  as  he  returned  from  the  attack,  "  dey  von't  unship 
any  more  men  in  dis  vorld,  and  for  de  vorld  to  come  peoples  must  take  care 
of  demselves,  for  I  can't  look  out  for  eberybody,''  and  that  reasoning 
seemed  to  satisfy  and  restore  him  to  a  good-humor,  for  he  smiled  and 
laughed  all  the  rest  of  the  afternoon,  and  did  not  even  allude  to  Florencia, 
so  I  hoped  the  magic  of  love  was  disappearing  from  his  mind,  and  that, 
with  his  usual  consistency,  he  was  forgetting  her.  Once  I  had  said,  in  a 
musing  sort  of  tone,  — 

"  What  do  you  think  Engracia  and  Anita  are  doing  at  the  present  time  ? " 
and  he  answered,  — 

"  Eatin'  de  frijoles,  I  s'pose,  if  dey  has  nothin'  else  to  do,"  and  then  I 
knew  that  his  love  for  the  woman  he  was  engaged  to  was  wavering,  as  men 
do  not  like  to  think  that  the  girls  they  admire  have  occasion  to  eat  any- 
thing but  the  daintiest  of  food,  expecting  them  to  turn  with  disgust  from 
the  sustaining  and  nutricious  bean. 

I  said  no  more,  but  thought  of  the  boy's  protestations  and  devotion,  and 
how  he  had  led  me  along,  and  finally  prevailed  upon  me  to  leave  the  ship, 
so  that  we  could  be  married  to  the  young  ladies  of  our  choice,  and  I  won- 
dered if  he  would  jilt  Engracia  when  the  proper  time  arrived  for  him  to  say 
yes  or  no.  I  was  firm  in  my  determination  to  make  a  wife  of  Anita,  but  I 
wanted  Lewey  to  wed  as  well  as  myself,  for  the  sake  of  company.  I  hoped 
he  would  do  so,  and  supposed  that  he  ultimately  might  consent,  if  we  en- 
countered no  more  pretty  faces  on  our  route. 

A  little  after  five  o'clock  we  crossed  a  small  mountain,  and  at  the  top 
looked  down  upon  a  pleasant  valley,  and  there  spread  before  us  were  herds 
of  cattle  and  horses,  and  a  large  adobe  house  and  out-buildings,  with  a  cor- 
ral in  which  were  a  dozen  animals,  all  ready  for  use,  in  case  the  owners  de- 
sired to  saddle  them  for  a  little  gentle  exercise  over  their  vast  pos- 
sessions. 

Our  approach  was  the  signal  for  some  little  excitement  among  the  in- 
mates of  the  house.  We  could  see  two  women  beat  a  hasty  retreat  into  the 


Lewey  and  I.  161 

building,  while  three  vaqueros  made  their  appearance  with  huge  escopetas, 
and  watched  with  interest  for  the  first  hostile  demonstration  that  we  were 
disposed  to  make. 

Three  or  four  dogs  bounded  toward  us,  and  Jack  was  all  ready  to  make 
friends,  or  be  enemies,  as  they  should  elect,  but  the  Mexicans  called  the 
curs  back,  and  so  we  were  enabled  to  approach  the  house  without  a  col- 
lision, as  we  feared  would  be  the  case. 

"  Que  quiere  usted?"  one  of  the  vaqueros  shouted,  and  brought  his 
escopeta  so  that  it  would  cover  us. 

"  Comida  y  dormir,"  we  answered,  meaning  that  we  desired  food  and 
rest. 

"  Usted  amigos  ? "  was  asked,  a  little  more  pleasantly,  and  the  musket 
was  lowered. 

"  Si,  senor,  todas  amigos,"  was  our  prompt  answer,  intimating  that  we 
were  friends. 

"  Come  along  then,"  the  Mexicans  said,  and,  as  we  advanced,  they  saw  that 
we  were  not  Indians  in  disguise,  so  the  guns  were  put  aside,  and  we 
were  welcomed  with  looks  of  surprise,  and  words  of  deep  courtesy  from  the 
three  men. 

This  was  the  Ranche  Vallecito  we  had  heard  the  courier  speak  of,  and 
the  people  knew  his  horse  at  once,  for,  as  I  dismounted,  one  of  the  vaque- 
ros looked  at  the  brand  on  my  steed's  flanks,  and  said, — 

"  We  have  seen  that  mustang  before.  It  is  the  courier  Pedro's  horse. 
He  was  here  yesterday." 

The  Mexicans  glanced  a  little  suspiciously  at  me,  as  the  words  were 
spoken,  but  I  answered  carelessly,  — 

"Yes,  Pedro  is  now  at  San  Diego.  We  exchanged  bronchos  yesterday 
afternoon  at  Tobias's  ranche.  I  gave  my  mustang  and  an  eight-real  piece 
for  this  animal,  and  made  a  good  trade." 

Then  all  three  men  laughed  in  unison,  and  one  of  them  said, — 

'•  Pedro  is  smart.  When  he  makes  an  exchange  he  always  gets  the  best 
of  the  bargain.  We  have  a  hundred  horses  that  we  will  sell  you  for  eight 
reals  each,  and  ask  no  caballo  in  addition." 

"  Gracias,"  I  answered,  with  a  laugh,  to  show  that  I  was  not  offended, 
"this  animal  pleases  me,  and  I  want  no  other." 

As  we  knew  the  customs  of  the  country  we  did  not  wait  for  an  urgent  ap- 
peal to  remain,  but  proceeded  to  unsaddle  our  mustangs,  and  by  this  time 
one  of  the  Mexicans,  a  young  man  about  our  age,  offered  to  aid  us.  Jack, 
by  his  resolute  demeanor,  had  inspired  the  greasers'  dogs  with  a  wholesome 


1 62  Lewey  and  I. 


respect  so  they  did  not  molest  him,  but  kept  at  a  distance,  and  looked  the 
the  astonishment  which  they  felt  at  seeing  a  stranger  in  their  midst. 

We  piled  our  saddles,  blankets,  and  equipments  in  an  out-building  like 
that  at  the  last  ranche,  and  then  turned  the  horses  into  the  corral,  where 
they  would  not  escape  during  the  night,  unless  the  gate  was  thrown 
open. 

"What  is  the  news  from  Tobias's  ranche  ?  "  the  father  of  the  family 
asked,  as  we  returned  from  the  corral,  having  rubbed  the  perspiration  from 
the  horses'  backs,  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  Mexican  muchacho,  who 
had  never  seen  such  pains  taken  with  animals  in  all  his  life. 

"  We  had  an  exciting  brush  with  the  wild  Indians  yesterday  morning, 
just  before  Pedro  arrived,"  I  answered,  quite  indifferently,  as  though  it  was 
something  that  I  had  been  accustomed  to  all  my  life. 

"  Gracias  Dios,  you  don't  mean  to  tell  me  that  the  Apaches  are  on  a 
raid  ?  "  asked  the  aged  Mexican. 

"  Yes ;  there  were  four  came  near  the  house,  and  tried  to  capture  Senor- 
ita  Florencia." 

"  The  saints  have  us  in  their  keeping,  but  they  did  not  succeed,  I  hope," 
cried  the  two  sons,  thus  showing  that  the  girl's  charms  were  known  even  in 
that  part  of  the  country,  and  had  produced  their  usual  effect  on  the  young 
men. 

"No,  we  beat  them  off,  and  saved  the  girl,"  I  said,  in  a  complacent 
manner. 

"  And  killed  three  of  the  savages,  while  Senor  Tobias  blew  off  the  head 
of  another,"  the  impulsive  Lewey  exclaimed. 

"  Glory  to  God  the  highest,"  the  old  Mexican  cried.  "  Four  Apaches 
slain  by  your  hands.  My  house  and  all  that  it  contains  are  at  your 
service." 

He  called  to  his  women  folks,  —  the  wife  and  daughter,  — and  bade  them 
prepare  a  feast  that  would  reflect  honor  on  the  establishment.  The  girl 
was  not  remarkable  for  her  beauty,  so  Lewey  did  not  make  love  to  her,  as 
he  would  have  done  under  other  circumstances.  The  mother  was  dark, 
smoke-dried,  and  wrinkled,  with  hands  that  were  none  too  clean,  but  she 
made  us  welcome,  and  called  us  heroes,  because  we  had  saved  the  life  and 
honor  of  a  girl,  as  though  we  deserved  credit  for  such  a  just  deed. 

The  Mexicans  were  very  particular  that  we  should  give  them  a  minute 
account  of  the  fight  and  death  of  the  wild  Indians,  and  felt  a  little  fearful 
that  the  Apaches  might  make  a  raid  in  their  direction.  So  much  impor- 
tance did  the  father  attach  to  our  communication  that  he  compelled  the 


Lewey  and  I.  163 


youngest  of  his  children  to  saddle  a  fleet  mustang,  and  scour  the  country  in 
several  directions,  to  see  if  there  were  any  signs  of  the  savages.  But  the 
boy  returned  at  dark,  and  said  that  he  could  see  nothing  of  a  suspicious  na- 
ture, and  so  the  stock  was  considered  safe  for  the  night. 

We  helped  ourselves  to  a  measure  of  barley,  and  fed  our  horses,  ate  our 
supper  with  a  relish  that  a  long  day's  journey  had  given  us,  and,  after  a  lib- 
eral distribution  of  cigarettes,  and  a  pipe  of  tobacco  for  ourselves,  retired  to 
the  out-building,  spread  our  blankets  for  a  bed,  and  prepared  to  sleep, 
and  just  then  the  rain  descended  in  torrents,  and  we  felt  thankful  that  we 
were  under  shelter  for  the  night. 

The  fleas  were  as  voracious  as  usual,  and  full  as  numerous,  but  their 
feeding  did  not  disturb  us,  and,  when  we  awoke  at  daybreak,  the  storm  had 
passed  away,  and  there  were  promises  of  a  pleasant  day.  The  air  was  fra- 
grant with  the  perfume  of  flowers  and  herbs.  The  quails  called  to  each 
other  from  the  chapparel,  and  wild  pigeons  passed  over  the  fields  in  count- 
less flocks,  while  on  the  little  mountain  we  had  descended  the  night  before 
stood  a  herd  of  deer,  watching  the  movements  of  life  at  the  house,  and  car- 
ing nothing  for  our  presence,  so  tame  did  they  appear.  The  leader  of  the 
drove  was  a  large  buck,  with  monstrous  antlers.  I  was  more  than  half 
tempted  to  give  him  a  shot,  and  secure  them  as  a  prize,  but,  when  I  re- 
flected that  I  could  not  carry  them  with  me,  I  gave  up  the  idea,  and  let  the 
graceful  animal  live,  and  depart  in  peace. 

We  piquetted  our  horses  where  the  grass  was  fresh  and  sweet,  and  let 
them  feed  while  we  washed,  and  smoothed  our  hair,  a  proceeding  that 
caused  a  quiet  smile  to  pass  over  the  faces  of  our  hosts,  for  they  thought 
that  it  denoted  a  weakness  of  mind  on  our  part,  but  it  had  its  reward,  for, 
while  I  stood  watching  our  mustangs  feed,  and  quite  ready  for  the  break- 
fast that  was  cooking  on  the  fire,  the  father  drew  near,  and  suddenly 
asked,  — 

"  To  what  country  do  you  belong,  senor  ?  You  do  not  speak  Spanish 
well  enough  to  be  a  Mexican,  and  your  skin  is  white,  not  dark  like  mine." 

I  remembered  in  time  not  to  declare  my  nationality,  and  answered,  — 

"  I  am  French.  My  companion  and  I  are  brothers,  and  we  are  traveling 
through  the  country  just  to  see  what  it  is  like.  We  are  bound  for  Los  An- 
geles, and  have  papers  of  protection  from  General  Castro.  Would  you  like 
to  see  them?" 

"  No,"  was  the  short  answer.  "  They  would  be  of  no  use  to  me.  I  can't 
read  or  write,  neither  can  my  children.  But  are  you  a  good  Catholic  ?" 

"  A  most  excellent  one,"  I  replied,  not  thinking  of  the  meaning  of  my 


164  Lewey  and  /. 


words,  only  knowing  that  Protestants  were  not  loved  or  respected  by  the 
bigoted  greasers. 

"  It  is  good,"  he  said,  with  a  smile,  as  I  thought,  of  relief.  "  Now  I  have 
a  proposition  to  make  you.  Look  around,  and  see  land  and  cattle  on  either 
hand.  All  are  mine.  Is  there  a  more  lovely  place  than  this  ?  " 

I  was  forced  to  admit  that  the  region  was  a  paradise,  under  tl.at  cool, 
spring  breeze,  with  the  sun  just  rising  from  the  mountains,  and  tinging  with 
a  golden  hue  the  distant  hilltops,  and  the  Sierras,  covered  with  snow,  while 
the  air  was  filled  with  humming  bees,  seeking  in  the  numerous  flowers  an 
early  harvest  of  honey.  It  is  a  little  singular,  but  I  have  recently  been  in- 
formed that  this  region,  at  the  present  day,  produces  more  honey,  through 
domestic  attention  and  protection,  than  all  the  other  parts  of  the  State 
combined. 

"You  like  the  place?"  asked  the  Mexican,  waiting  until  I  had  taken  in 
all  the  surroundings  before  he  spoke. 

"  Yes.  Who  can  help  admiring  nature  in  her  solitude  and  grandeur  ?  "  I 
answered,  willing  to  please  the  Mexican,  and  make  myself  agreeable. 

"  It  is  well,"  the  man  said.  "  You  can  remain  here  all  your  days  if  you 
wish.  If  you  desire  to  ride,  there  are  hundreds  of  horses  at  your  disposal. 
If  you  love  hunting,  the  mountains  and  plains  abound  with  deer,  and  game 
ot  all  kinds.  If  you  prefer  work,  cattle  are  to  be  rounded  in  once  a  year, 
and  branded,  or  barley  to  sow,  and  be  gathered.  In  many  ways  you  can 
make  yourself  useful." 

What  did  the  Mexican  mean  by  his  broad  hint  ?  Was  he  disposed  to 
keep  me  a  prisoner  in  that  wilderness,  where  a  traveler  or  stranger  was 
rarely  seen,  and  the  only  recreation  was  such  as  he  had  described  ?  No 
books  or  papers  were  in  the  house,  and  when  the  people  were  tired  they 
went  to  sleep,  and  when  hungry  ate  their  coarse  fare,  and  thanked  the  saints 
it  was  no  worse. 

"Why  do  you  thus  tempt  me?"  I  asked,  resolved  to  learn  all  his 
thoughts  by  a  direct  question. 

For  a  moment  the  Mexican  hesitated,  and  then  said,  speaking  very  slowly 
and  distinctly,  — 

"  You  noticed  my  daughter  did  you  not  ?  I  saw  you  look  at  her  with  ad- 
miration in  your  eyes,  or  I  am  mistaken." 

I  began  to  feel  warm  and  uncomfortable,  for  I  feared  the  conversation 
was  taking  a  serious  turn,  and  one  dangerous  to  myself. 

"  Yes,  senor,  I  admired  the  lady.     She  is  muy  hermoso,"  I  answered. 

"  She  is  beautiful,"  the  host  repeated,  with  all  of  a  parent's  pride,  for,  as 


Lewey  and  I.  165 


a  general  thing,  fathers  think  their  daughters  perfection,  even  if  they  are 
far  from  it.  "  I  am  glad  you  admire  her,"  the  Mexican  continued,  "  for  the 
feeling  is  mutual.  She  likes  your  appearance,  and  will  marry  you." 

I  almost  staggered  under  the  sudden  announcement  of  my  comtemplated 
happiness,  but  I  was  in  a  dangerous  position,  and  knew  it.  The  least  of- 
fensive word,  or  contemptuous  gesture,  would  be  the  last  that  I  should 
ever  make  in  this  world.  A  sharp  knife,  and  a  ready  one,  could  reach  my 
heart,  even  if  the  dark  eyes  of  the  senorita  failed  to  do  the  business. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  your  daughter  is  willing  to  marry  me  ?  "  I 
asked,  as  soon  as  I  could  recover  from  my  daze,  and  speak  plainly. 

"  She  has  admitted  to  me  and  her  mother  that  such  is  the  case.  Say  the 
the  word,  and  I  '11  send  to  San  Mateo  for  a  priest,  and  in  a  few  days  the 
knot  can  be  tied." 

This  was  unexpected  happiness,  but  I  had  to  keep  my  head  clear,  and 
think  rapidly,  for  there  was  no  chance  to  fool  away  time  and  words  with  the 
determined  greaser  at  my  side. 

"  Ah,  great  is  my  misery,"  I  said,  on  the  spur  of  the  moment.  "  Why 
did  I  not  dream  of  such  happiness  before  I  pledged  my  word  to  an- 
other ? " 

"  You  are  then  engaged  to  some  woman  ? "  he  asked,  a  little  dis- 
appointed. 

"  Woe  is  me,  but  I  am.  How  could  I  think  that  such  a  beautiful  senori- 
ta as  your  daughter  would  lift  her  eyes  to  me,  a  poor  man  ?" 

"  But  you  can  read  and  write  ?" 

"  Yes,  senor." 

"  Then  you  are  not  poor,  and  raised  to  an  equality  with  my  child.  She  is 
rich  in  land  and  cattle,  but  has  no  education.  Take  her,  and  the  saints 
bless  you." 

"  How  gladly  would  I  do  so,  if  I  could  only  be  free  of  the  girl  who  is  ex- 
pecting me,  and  seeks  to  be  my  wife." 

"  Shake  her  off,"  was  the  advice,  in  a  sullen  tone. 

"  Tell  me,"  I  said,  laying  a  hand  on  the  angry  father's  arm,  "  what  would 
you  do  if  a  man  should  seek  your  daughter's  heart,  agree  to  marry  her,  and 
then  desert  her  at  the  last  moment  ?  " 

"  My  knife  would  find  a  place  between  his  ribs  before  he  had  enjoyed 
his  honeymoon,"  was  the  savage  answer. 

"And  serve  him  ri^ht,"  I  exclaimed,  in  apparent  frankness.  "The  fa- 
ther and  brother  of  the  girl  I  am  about  to  marry  would  treat  me  in  the 
same  manner.  They,  like  you,  are  Mexican  caballeros,  and  ready  to  re- 


1 66  Lewey  and  7. 


venge  an  insult  to  their  relative  with  death.  Let  the  matter  rest  just  as  it 
is  for  the  present.  I  am  a  man  of  honor,  like  yourself.  I  will  seek  my  be- 
trothed, and  tell  her  all.  Perhaps  she  is  already  married.  I  hope  that  she 
is.  I  have  not  seen  or  heard  from  her  for  months.  If  she  is  untrue,  or 
gives  me  back  my  freedom,  I  shall  hasten  to  your  ranche,  and  then  proudly 
demand  the  hand  of  your  beautiful  and  innocent  daughter." 

This  was  not  exactly  true,  but  I  was  not  going  to  infuriate  a  man  when 
he  had  the  power  to  do  me  a  serious  injury,  and  perhaps  take  my  life,  as 
readily  as  he  would  have  slaughtered  one  of  his  lively  bullocks. 

I  could  see  that  the  greaser  did  not  like  the  idea  of  relinquishing  his  hold 
on  me.  He  knew  when  he  had  come  across  a  prize  for  his  daughter,  even 
if  other  people  did  not,  and  the  lady  was  a  girl  of  most  excellent  taste  and 
judgment,  as  I  admitted  at  the  time,  and  have  always  thought  that  she  was 
inspired  when  she  selected  me  for  a  husband.  She  must  have  been  a  won- 
derful character  reader,  for  one  so  young  and  unaccustomed  to  the  world, 
and  when  she  did  obtain  a  partner,  how  striking  the  contrast  must  have 
been  in  her  eyes,  and  how  bitterly  she  probably  regretted  that  she  had  not 
married  her  first  love.  I  have  often  spoken  of  the  unexpected  proposal 
that  I  received  at  the  Ranche  Vallecito,  and  what  an  honor  it  was  for  one 
so  young  and  tender,  and  sometimes  regrets  have  been  expressed  by  those 
who  should  take  an  interest  in  my  fate  that  I  did  not  yield  to  such  solicita- 
tions, marry,  and  settle  in  the  wilderness,  where  my  genius  could  have 
found  full  scope  in  fighting  fleas,  Apaches,  and  a  very  dark  and  wrinkled 
mother-in-law,  with  hands  none  too  clean  for  mixing  tortillas,  and  other 
fancy  dishes. 

For  a  few  minutes  the  Mexican  father,  who  was  so  anxious  for  an  advan- 
tageous match  for  his  daughter,  and  saw  the  prize  slipping  from  his  fingers, 
remained  silent,  watching  the  bees  and  the  herd  of  deer,  revolving  in  his 
mind  what  course  to  pursue  to  make  two  young  hearts  happy. 

"  Let  us  understand  each  other,"  he  said.  "  If  you  find  the  senorita  you 
are  expected  to  marry  unfaithful,  or  can  get  out  of  the  engagement  with 
honor,  you  will  do  so,  and  return  here  ? " 

"  Can  you  doubt  it  ?  I  should  fly  as  fast  as  horse-flesh  could  carry  me," 
but  I  did  not  say  in  what  direction. 

"  That  is  enough.  I  will  tell  my  daughter  all,  so  that  she  will  not  think 
her  love  is  slighted.  You  do  not  mean  to  express  contempt  for  her 
wishes  ?  "  and  the  host's  hand  rested  on  the  hilt  of  his  long  knife  in  a  care- 
less manner,  and  his  eyes  showed  some  of  the  fire  of  an  untamed 
ranchero. 


Lewey  and  /.  167 


"The  saints  forgive  me,"  and  I  crossed  myself,  "but  if  I  was  free  you 
would  see  how  quickly  I  should  welcome  the  priest,  and  be  proud  of  such  a 
wife  as  the  senorita  will  make.  Ah,  she  is  lovely  and  gentle.  Happy  will 
the  man  be  who  wins  her." 

All  the  time  I  was  speaking  I  kept  my  eyes  on  that  long  knife,  for  I 
feared  its  sharp  point,  and  the  owner.  I  was  determined  to  get  out  of  a  bad 
position  the  best  way  possible. 

"  I  have  a  great  mind  to  detain  you,"  my  host  said,  with  a  wistful  eye, 
"  and  defy  the  family  of  your  intended.  If  they  should  come  here  for  the 
purpose  of  making  complaint,  we  could  ambush  the  whole  party,  and  put 
them  out  of  the  way  with  but  little  trouble." 

I  almost  shuddered  at  the  free  expressions  of  my  would-be  father  in-law, 
and  longed  for  the  hour  when  I  could  mount  my  horse,  and  escape  from 
such  a  dangerous  locality. 

"  The  plan  that  I  have  laid  out  is  the  best,"  I  remarked.  "  Let  us  sepa- 
rate with  that  understanding." 

"  Bueno,"  the  Mexican  responded.  "  We  will  shake  hands  on  it,"  and 
we  did,  then  and  there.  "  When  you  leave  today,  if  you  must  resume  your 
journey,  I  desire  you  to  salute  my  daughter  with  a  kiss.  It  will  prove  to 
her  that  you  are  anxious  for  more.  Be  careful  that  you  do  not  forget  it." 

I  promised  compliance  with  his  wishes,  although  the  task  was  not  one 
that  I  felt  anxious  for,  as  the  girl  was  far  from  being  handsome,  and  I  had 
not  seen  her  wash  her  hands  or  face  since  she  got  out  of  bed.  But  I  had 
promised,  and  meant  to  carry  out  the  programme,  and  so  escape  a  cut  or 
stab  from  that  long  knife. 

"  Vot  vas  you  and  de  greaser  talkin'  about  so  long  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  when 
the  Mexican  and  I  separated. 

"  He  desires  me  to  marry  his  daughter,"  I  answered  proudly.  Perhaps 
there  was  a  little  more  pride  than  there  was  any  occasion  for,  but  it  was  the 
first  proposal  that  I  had  ever  received  in  that  line,  and  young  men  are  apt 
to  be  vain  of  their  conquests. 

"  Does  de  girl  vant  you  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  his  eyes  opened  to  their  widest 
in  astonishment. 

"  So  I  have  been  given  to  understand,"  was  my  reply,  in  a  complacent 
tone. 

"  Parbleu,  de  girl  is  crazy  to  pick  you  ven  dar  is  me.  Nebber  heard  of 
sich  foolishness  in  all  my  life.  Hope  you  said  no." 

"  Well,  yes,  I  did  plead  that  a  previous  engagement  would  prevent  me 
from  accepting  the  offer,  and  I  suggested  that  you  might  do." 


1 68  Lewey  and  /. 


"  And  vot  did  de  greaser  say  to  dat  ?  "  demanded  my  friend. 

"  Oh,  not  much.  He  thought  that  he  would  prefer  a  sedate,  stable  man 
to  a  fickle  boy  as  a  husband  for  his  child,  and  so  declined  to  take  you  into 
account.  I  quite  agreed  with  him." 

"  It  is  von  lie,"  roared  the  French  lad.  "  He  say  no  sich  ding,  and  I 
don't  believe  he  ax  you  to  marry  de  girl." 

"  You  will  see  when  we  get  ready  to  leave.  I  shall  then  kiss  the  girl  a 
good-by,  and  if  you  attempt  it  some  one  will  get  a  boxed  ear." 

"  I  vould  not  kiss  her  for  von  million  dollars,"  with  an  expression  of  dis- 
gust, and  then  I  knew  that  our  host's  daughter  must  be  very  plain  to  repulse 
such  a  boy  as  my  French  friend,  who  was  not  over  scrupulous  as  to  what  he 
kissed,  and  where  he  kissed,  as  long  as  it  was  a  woman,  and  young. 

We  had  a  very  good  breakfast,  and,  after  it  was  finished,  saddled  our 
horses,  the  young  Mexican  lending  us  a  helping  hand,  and  expressing  re- 
grets that  he  could  not  go  with  us,  and  see  the  world.  He  thought  that 
everything  great  and  beautiful  were  centered  at  Los  Angeles,  which  he  had 
heard  so  much  about,  and  yet  had  never  visited,  for  the  ranche  was  his 
home  from  the  day  of  his  birth,  and  he  supposed  he  should  have  to  remain 
there  until  his  death. 

Just  as  I  was  about  to  mount  my  horse,  I  caught  the  glare  of  the  Mexi- 
can father's  eyes.  He  was  reminding  me  of  a  certain  contract  which  the 
bustle  of  departure  had  made  me  forget  for  the  time.  But,  as  soon  as  I  saw 
a  hand  go  to  the  hilt  of  his  knife,  I  knew  what  he  meant.  Off  went  my 
hat,  and  thus  uncovered  I  approached  the  young  girl,  who  really  did  look  a 
little  regretful  at  our  departure. 

"  Senorita,"  I  said,  "in  a  few  weeks  I  hope  to  have  the  happiness  of 
again  seeing  you.  Until  then  will  you  allow  me  to  salute  you?" 

She  put  up  her  lips  just  as  though  she  had  been  instructed  what  to  do, 
and  I  kissed  her  as  fervently  as  I  could  under  the  circumstances,  and  that 
bad  Lewey,  who  forgot  his  bold  words,  sprang  forward,  and  offered  to  sa- 
lute the  girl  in  the  same  manner  that  I  had  done.  But  she  drew  back,  and 
gave  the  boy  a  haughty  look  that  delighted  me.  I  desired  to  laugh,  but  did 
not  dare  to  in  the  presence  of  a  man  who  wanted  to  ambush  families,  and 
put  them  out  of  the  world,  in  case  it  suited  his  convenience. 

Lewey  covered  his  confusion  and  defeat  by  asking  a  few  words  about  our 
route  and  stopping-places,  and  this  our  host  was  kind  enough  to  give. 

"  Push  on,"  he  said,  "  and  you  will  reach  San  Felipe  Creek  by  noon. 
After  this  late  rain  you  may  have  to  camp  on  the  bank  of  the  stream  for  a 
few  hours,  or  even  a  day,  until  the  water  recedes,  and  the  ford  is  passible. 


Lewey  and  I.  169 


If  the  creek  is  low  you  can  be  at  San  Mateo  by  night,  where  you  will  find  a 
ranche,  and  comfortable  quarters  ;  and  now  the  saints  above  have  you  in 
their  keeping.  Adios." 

He  waved  his  hand,  the  women  did  the  same,  and  the  sons  shouted  out  a 
hearty  farewell,  and,  with  Jack  at  our  heels,  delighted  to  escape  from  the 
companionship  of  curs  of  low  degree,  we  gave  free  rein  to  our  impatient 
mustangs,  and  were  off,  following  the  trail  that  led  to  the  North. 

The  morning  air  was  delightful,  for  the  rain  of  the  night  before  had  fresh- 
ened the  grass,  and  revived  the  flowers,  and  the  atmosphere  was  impreg- 
nated with  perfume.  The  bees  hummed  around  us,  and  the  whistling 
quails  sprang  up  "all  along  the  narrow  trail,  and  flew  in  large  coveys  for 
shelter  among  the  thick  chapparel  and  short  grass.  Wild  pigeons  winged 
their  way  in  immense  flocks  toward  the  mountains,  and  honking  geese 
headed  for  the  shores  of  the  ocean,  or  some  large  lake  north  of  us  that  sup- 
plied the  waters  of  the  San  Felipe  Creek,  and  then  emptied  into  the  Pacific. 
Ducks  quacked  as  they  rose  from  the  marshes  on  our  left  hand,  and  their 
variegated  plumage  shone  like  gold,  silver,  and  bronze,  as  the  strong  sun- 
light fell  upon  their  feathers  and  wide-spreading  pinions.  Coyotes  crossed 
our  path,  and  looked  with  hungry  eyes  at  Jack,  but  the  dog  was  obedient, 
and  did  not  stray  from  the  trail  in  pursuit  of  game  of  any  kind.  A  dozen 
deer  were  roused  out  of  thickets  by  the  noise  of  our  horses'  feet,  but  they 
only  gazed  at  us  in  wondering  amazement,  and  did  not  turn  and  fly,  as 
if  they  knew  man,  and  what  he  was  capable  of  doing.  It  is  probable  the 
bucks  and  does  had  never  heard  the  crack  of  a  rifle  in  that  vast  solitude, 
and  at  most  were  only  occisionally  hunted  by  Indians,  when  bullocks  were 
not  convenient.  Once  a  black  bear  crossed  our  path,  and  sat  up  on  his 
haunches,  and  looked  a  little  surprised  to  see  such  early  visitors,  growled 
angrily  at  the  dog,  was  answered  by  a  savage  bark  from  Jack,  and  then 
the  game  little  fellow  looked  in  our  faces,  as  if  he  wanted  permission  to 
make  an  attack,  and  show  what  he  could  do  with  an  animal  ten  times 
larger  than  himself. 

But  a  shake  of  the  head  was  enough  to  restrain  the  little  bulldog,  and  he 
winked  one  of  his  eyes,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  was  only  fooling  you,  and 
had  no  intention  of  going  near  that  monster.  When  I  fight  it  is  to  win." 

Our  horses  scented  the  bear,  and  were  a  little  uneasy  for  a  few  moments, 
but,  when  they  saw  that  we  were  not  disposed  to  make  an  attack,  settled 
down  to  their  work,  and  soon  we  were  some  distance  from  such  a  danger- 
ous neighbor,  and  when  we  came  to  a  spring  Lewey  checked  his  horse,  and 
dismounted  for  a  drink  of  the  clear,  pure  water. 


170  Lewey  and  /. 


"You  had  better  get  off,  and  vash  your  face,"  my  friend  remarked. 
"  Dat  greaser  girl  vas  none  too  clean,  and  she  might  have  left  some  dirt  on 
your  cheeks,  'cos  you  has  enough  of  dat  for  both  of  us,"  and  then,  when  he 
saw  that  I  was  not  pleased  with  the  words,  his  sunny  nature  broke  out. 
"  Did  you  dink  dat  I  vas  in  great  earnest,  O  mon  ami  ?  Little  much  care 
do  I  for  de  girls  vot  you  kiss.  Do  you  dink  dat  I  let  von  nice  boy  like  you 
marry  a  fille  same  as  dat  ?  I  take  her  mineself  fust,"  and  that  is  the  way 
he  would  have  proved  his  devoted  friendship,  and  could  man  do  more  ? 

And  so  the  cordial  relations  between  us  were  resumed,  and  there  was 
sunshine  on  Lewey's  face  for  the  rest  of  the  day. 

We  stopped  at  what  is  now  called  Julian  City,  I  belie've,  or  near  it,  and 
ate  our  lunch,  fed  our  hoises,  smoked  a  pipe  of  tobacco,  took  a  few  winks 
of  sleep,  and  resumed  our  journey,  but  not  always  at  a  gallop,  as  the  trail 
was  so  indistinct  that  at  times  we  had  some  trouble  in  keeping  it,  conse- 
quently \\e  were  late  when  we  reached  the  banks  of  a  small  stream,  which 
we  supposed  was  San  Felipe  Creek.  We  hunted  for  a  place  to  ford,  but 
the  water  was  pouring  down  at  so  lively  a  rate  that  we  did  not  dare  to  ven- 
ture, for  Tear  of  losing  our  horses  and  stores,  so  at  last  concluded  that 
we  would  have  to  remain  where  we  were,  and  camp  for  the  night. 

There  was  plenty  of  good  grass  and  wood  near  at  hand,  and  water  in 
abundance,  but  the  place  was  lonely,  and  we  did  not  feel  quite  at  our  ease, 
as  we  thought  of  the  long  night  before  us.  But  we  could  not  go  on  until 
the  stream  had  fallen,  and  we  expected  that  it  would  by  morning,  as  the 
landmarks  showed  a  decrease  had  taken  place  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

We  looked  all  around  us,  toward  the  mountains,  and  in  the  direction  of 
the  ocean,  although  we  could  not  see  it,  but  the  position  of  the  sun  showed 
where  it  ought  to  be,  and  not  a  human  being,  except  ourselves,  was  in  sight. 
We  even  failed  to  get  a  glimpse  of  smoke  from  some  distant  ranche,  and 
then,  after  we  found  that  camping  was  inevitable,  removed  the  saddles 
from  our  horses'  backs,  piquetted  them  where  the  feed  was  good,  and,  while 
thus  engaged,  I  saw,  near  a  clump  of  alder-bushes,  a  solitary  doe  looking 
at  us  with  great,  wondering  eyes. 

For  the  first  time  during  our  journey  we  needed  meat,  as  our  salt  junk 
was  all  gone,  so  there  was  no  reason  why  we  should  not  have  venison  for 
supper,  if  we  could  get  it.  Lewey  held  Jack,  while  I  took  my  rifle,  and 
stole  around  in  the  rear  of  the  doe,  and,  when  within  thirty  yards,  fired,  and 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  deer  bound  away  for  a  few  rods,  and  then 
drop,  badly  wounded.  Another  shot  put  an  end  to  its  suffering,  and 
when  I  carried  my  prize  to  the  camp  was  quite  proud  of  my  achievment. 


Lewey  and  I.  171 


We  dressed  the  deer,  and  cut  off  such  steaks  as  we  needed  for  supper, 
and  then  hung  the  balance  on  the  bough  of  a  tree,  to  use  for  breakfast.  By 
the  aid  of  a  roaring  fire  we  soon  had  some  nice  chops  on  the  coals,  with 
coffee  boiling  in  a  tin  pot,  and  our  pilot  bread  spread  out  all  ready,  and 
Jack  was  just  quivering  with  anticipation  for  the  good  things  to  come,  as 
the  perfume  of  the  burning  flesh  was  grateful  to  our  hungry  stomachs,  and 
we  had  no  doubt  but  our  dog  was  as  eager  for  a  meal  as  ourselves. 

"  Dis  is  not  so  bad,"  my  friend  said,  as  the  sun  disappeared,  and  dark- 
ness gathered  around  us.  "  Ve  vill  much  eat,  and  den  de  morn  come  all 
de  quicker  vid  de  stomach  full.  Ah,  by  gar,  de  coffee  am  made,  de  meat 
am  done,  and  —  Vot  de  devil  am  dat  ?  " 

I  did  not  wonder  that  the  French  boy  asked  the  question,  for  Jack  gave 
a  sudden  yelp  of  rage,  and  made  a  dive  at  a  tall,  dark,  but  rather  handsome 
Indian,  a  young  fellow  not  more  than  twenty  years  of  age,  and  a  great  chief, 
—  that  we  could  tell  by  his  dress  and  ornaments,  —  as  he  stood  leaning  on 
a  long  lance,  near  our  fire,  and  looking  at  u>  in  a  cold,  defiant  manner,  ex- 
pressive of  contempt,  we  thought.  We  had  met  a  wild  Apache  Indian  we 
imagined,  and  the  sight  was  not  an  agreeable  one,  for  we  suddenly  remem- 
bered our  bold  deeds  in  slaying  some  of  his  tribe,  and  how  proud  we  were 
of  the  fact,  but  now  it  seemed  to  us  that  such  matters  were  not  to  our  credit, 
and  that  our  scalps  were  in  danger  of  being  raised  to  pay  for  our  temerity. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A  SURPRISED  GREETING. —A   MIDNIGHT  VISITOR.  —  AN    ANGRY  BEAR. — 
AN   OWL'S   TOOT.  —  A   BAND   OF   WARRIORS,  —  THE   CHIEF'S   COMMANDS. 

—  ESCAPING    WITH    OUR   SCALPS.  —  THE     SULPHUR     SPRING     AND    BATH. 

—  THE    RANCHERO'S    FEARS.  — THE    NIGHT  CAMP   AT   THE  FOOT   OF   THE 
MOUNTAINS.  —  THE  PROWLING     LION.  —  HOMESICKNESS.  —  A     STRANGE 
MEETING.  — THE     LONELY     CANYON.  —  LOS     ANGELES. —DON     SANCHOS 
APPEARS. 

T7OR  one  moment  we  gazed  on  the  savage  without  speaking,  after  Lew- 
-*•  ey's  exclamation.  No  wonder  my  friend  thought  that  our  visitor  was 
the  devil,  for  he  did  look  diabolical,  as  the  flames  lighted  up  his  dark, 
painted  face  and  hair,  the  latter  ornamented  with  eagle's  feathers,  while  the 
handle  of  his  lance  was  decorated  with  human  locks  and  long  strips  of  red 
flannel,  probably  taken  from  the  shirts  of  dead  Mexicans  or  trappers,  whom 
the  warrior  had  encountered  during  his  raid  from  the  southern  part  of 
Arizona,  and  through  lower  California. 

All  this  we  had  time  to  note,  as  Jack  made  a  bound  for  the  unwelcome 
and  unexpected  visitor,  but  we  were  not  prepared  to  see  our  dog,  just  as 
he  was  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Apache  chief,  receive  a  kick  that  sent 
him  end  over  end,  and  finally  la  ded  the  little  fellow  in  my  lap,  where  I 
held  him  fast,  quivering  with  rage  and  disappointment,  as  I  wanted  to  see 
how  many  companions  the  Indian  had,  and  if  his  visit  was  peace  or  war, 
before  proceeding  to  extremities.  Our  rifles  were  some  distance  from  us, 
and  out  of  reach,  and,  had  we  jumped  to  our  feet,  and  ran  to  obtain  pos- 
session of  them,  the  savage  could  have  thrust  his  lance  through  and  through 
us,  and  hardly  stirred  from  his  tracks. 

"  How?"  asked  the  Apache,  as  he  held  up  one  hand,  the  palm  turned  to- 


Lewey  and  L 


ward  us,  which  must  have  signified  good  will,  for  he  made  no  effort  to  use 
his  weapon,  or  move  toward  us. 

"  How?  "  we  both  exclaimed,  and  imitated  his  example,  still  retaining  our 
seats,  and  that  probably  saved  our  lives,  as  the  savage  saw  that  we  had  no 
hostile  intentions. 

"  Mexicano?"  demanded  the  Indian,  with  a  sharp  look  from  his  bright 
eyes,  as  he  asked  the  question. 

"  No,"  we  both  answered  with  one  accord,  as  we  supposed  the  chief  had 
no  love  for  people  of  that  race. 

"  Quien  r  "  our  visitor  demanded  in  Spanish,  showing  that  he  knew  some- 
thing of  the  language. 

"  Americano,"  Lewey  replied,  at  a  venture. 

The  face  of  the  Apache  lighted  up  at  once,  lost  some  of  its  sternness, 
and  a  slight  smile  passed  over  his  rather  good-looking  countenance,  even  if 
it  was  fierce. 

"  Speakie  you  de  Yankee  ?  "  asked  the  warrior,  to  our  great  surprise. 

"Yes.     Where  did  you  learn  to  talk  English  ?  "  I  demanded. 

The  savage  extended  his  hand,  and  came  forward,  dropping  his  lance  as 
he  did  so,  to  show  that  his  intentions  were  peaceable. 

We  shook  hands  with  the  visitor,  and  motioned  him  to  take  a  seat  by  the 
fire,  while  I  released  the  struggling  Jack,  who  smelledof  the  Apache,  and 
no  longer  threatened  the  savage  who  had  saluted  him  with  an  unceremoni- 
ous kick.  But  it  was  evident  our  pet  remembered  the  rough  treatment,  for 
he  looked  at  us  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Just  let  me  try  that  dodge  over  again, 
and  you  will  see  if  I  don't  do  better." 

"  Me  speakie  good  Yankee,"  the  Apache  said.  "  Me  learn  of  white  trap- 
per away  off,"  and  he  pointed  toward  the  mountains. 

"  Is  the  chief  hungry  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Yes,  me  eat." 

We  cut  off  some  steaks  of  venison,  and  threw  them  on  the  coals,  and 
then  handed  a  pot  of  coffee  to  the  Indian.  He  drank  all  that  there  was, 
smacked  his  lips,  and  said  "  Good,"  then  proceeded  to  rake  the  burning 
flesh  from  the  fire,  and  to  eat  as  though  a  long  ride  had  given  him  a  sharp 
appetite. 

We  handed  him  a  cake  of  pilot  bread,  and  a  pinch  of  saJt,  and  then  the 
chief  must  have  thought  that  we  were  not  bad  friends,  for  he  no  longer 
glanced  around,  and  peered  in  the  darkness,  stopping  his  mastication  every 
few  seconds  to  listen  for  unusual  noises,  or  to  note  if  strangers  were  lurk- 
ing near. 


Lewey  and  L 


In  half  an  hour  that  savage  disposed  of  large  quantities  of  half  cooked 
meat,  not  minding  the  few  ashes  that  adhered  to  the  chops,  and  at  last, 
when  his  appetite  was  satisfied,  he  drew  back  from  the  fire,  and 
murmured,  — 

"  Tobac." 

We  handed  him  a  dozen  cigarettes,  and  he  lighted  one,  took  a  long  whiff , 
swallowed  the  smoke,  seemed  to  relish  it,  then  asked, — 

"What  do  here?" 

"  On  the  way  to  Los  Angeles." 

"  Hum  !  Heap  big  town.  Me  know.  There,"  and  he  pointed  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  place. 

"  And  what  are  you  doing  here  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Steal  cattle,1'  was  the  candid  answer,  and  he  looked  a  little  proud,  as  he 
uttered  the  words. 

"  Where  are  your  warriors  ?  A  big  chief  like  you  should  have  many 
companions,"  I  remarked,  thinking  to  flatter  the  savage. 

"  Me  chief.  Warriors  all  around  here.  Me  call,  they  come.  No  call, 
no  come." 

I  thought  the  Indian  was  lying,  but  pretended  to  believe  him,  as  it  is  not 
just  the  thing  to  doubt  a  man's  word,  when  you  are  in  his  power,  or  he  has 
influential  friends  to  back  him  up  in  all  he  asserts. 

"  How  far  have  you  traveled  today  ? "  I  asked. 

"  Oh,  heap.  Me  come  from  the  mountains  this  morn,  when  the  sun  rise. 
Tomorrow  me  go  there  get  much  cattle.  Mexican  no  fight.  They  run 
when  they  hear  the  Apache's  war-cry." 

He  pointed  in  the  direction  of  the  Vallecito  Ranche,  and  I  pitied  my 
would-be  father-in  law,  if  they  took  him  by  surprise,  and  wished  that  I  could 
give  him  warning  of  the  intended  raid,  for  I  had  no  ill  feeling  against  him, 
even  if  he  did  want  me  to  marry  his  only  daughter,  a  girl  not  remarkable  for 
beauty  or  cleanliness. 

We  hoped  that  our  visitor  had  not  learned  of  the  death  of  four  of  his  peo 
pie,  and  that  \ve  were  concerned  in  their  early  decease,  for  if  such  was  the 
case,  it  was  probable  that  he  might  desire  to  avenge  their  great  loss  to  the 
world  and  his  tribe.  We  mentally  resolved  to  make  no  boasts  of  our  deeds 
in  the  killing  line  until  we  were  beyond  the  haunts  of  the  Apaches,  for  just 
then  we  were  not  ambitious  to  shine  as  heroes.  We  would  wait  before 
boasting. 

'*  We  met  none  of  your  warriors  on  the  road  today,"  I  said.  "  We  have 
traveled  many  miles,  and  seen  no  trail." 


Lewey  and  I. 


"  You  is  much  lucky,"  was  the  quiet  answer.  "  Apache  see  you  today, 
kill  you,  and  take  scalp." 

"  What  if  they  should  see  us  tomorrow  ? "  I  asked. 

"  No  hurt  the  white  Yankees.  Me  give  you  pass.  Apache  know  it,  and 
let  you  go,  if  see  you." 

We  had  our  doubts  on  the  subject,  but  at  the  same  time  concluded  not  to 
express  them  in  a  defiant  manner.  We  thought  it  best  to  be  on  good  terms 
with  the  savage. 

"  For  dree  years  me  live  with  white  trapper  over  de  mountains,"  the 
chief  said,  as  he  puffed  away  at  his  cigarette.  "  He  show  me  how  to  shoot, 
to  speak  de  Yankee  tongue,  and  to  be  a  big  warrior.  He  and  de  Apache 
great  friends.  We  love  each  other.  S'pose  you  Mexican,  me  not  stay  here 
and  eat  at  your  fire.  Me  kill  you,  and  take  scalp." 

"  Why  did  you  not  wait  until  we  were  asleep,  and  then  kill  us  ? "  I 
asked. 

The  young  savage  smiled,  and  a  cunning  look  passed  over  his  face,  as 
he  answered,  — 

"  Me  trail  you  all  de  arternoon.  Me  see  you  camp,  and  kill  de  deer,  and 
me  crawl  up,  and  listen.  Den  me  hear  you  speak  de  Yankee  lingo,  and  I 
know  you  no  Mexicans.  We  friends,"  and  he  held  out  his  stained  paw 
for  another  shake  of  our  hands. 

We  thought  that  the  chief  could  be  trusted,  but  were  not  sure  of  it. 
However,  we  sat  and  talked  with  him  for  an  hour  or  more,  and  then  got  up, 
and  looked  to  our  horses,  and,  as  they  had  fed  enough  for  the  night,  we 
changed  their  location  to  a  tree  close  to  the  camp-fire. 

"  Chief  no  steal  our  horses  ?  "  I  said,  as  we  secured  the  animals  by  strong 
reatas  so  that  they  could  not  break  away. 

The  young  fellow  smiled,  as  much  as  a  warrior  who  is  on  a  trail  dares  to 
look  pleased,  and  shook  his  head. 

"  Me  good  Indian  now.  No  steal  friends'  horse.  Take  Mexican's  all  I 
want.  See  me  bring  in  my  mustang  for  de  night." 

He  put  his  fingers  in  his  mouth,  and  uttered  a  shrill  whistle,  and  then  a 
wild  broncho  dashed  out  of  the  rhapparel,  and  galloped  toward  the  savage, 
stopped  when  within  a  few  feet  of  its  owner,  and  waited  for  further  com- 
mands. 

Our  horses  uttered  dissatisfied  snorts,  and  manifested  symptoms  of  unea- 
siness at  the  approach  of  the  half-tamed  and  half-wild  mustang,  but  we 
quieted  them  by  words,  and  then  the  Indian  hobbled  his  steed,  tying  the 
fore  legs  together,  and  turned  it  loose,  to  feed  as  it  might  during  the  night. 


178  Lewey  and  I. 


We  gave  the  chief  our  horse-blankets  to  lie  on,  examined  the  caps  on  the 
rifles,  to  see  that  they  were  all  correct,  and  then  lay  down,  the  Indian  with 
his  feet  to  the  fire,  and  his  lance  by  his  side.  He  might  have  been  playing 
'possom,  for  it  seemed  to  us  that  no  sooner  was  his  head  on  the  ground 
than  he  fell  asleep. 

"  Lewey,"  I  whispered,  as  we  pulled  the  blankets  over  our  shoulders, 
"  is  the  cuss  honest  ?  " 

"  By  gar,  Thorn,  dat  is  somethin'  dat  I  can't  answer  much  mineself.  Ve 
vill  put  our  trust  in  de  saints,  and  hope  to  avake  in  de  mornin'  vid  de  hair 
on  our  booful  heads.  If  he  moves  eber  so  little  in  de  night,  and  mine  eyes 
is  open,  den  I  shoot  him  like  a  coyote,  you  see." 

And,  even  as  the  French  lad  spoke,  his  voice  grew  a  little  indistinct,  and 
he  uttered  a  snort,  that  sounded  like  snoring,  but,  as  Lewey  always  vowed 
that  he  never  snored  in  all  his  life,  I  supposed  that  I  must  believe  him. 

In  a  few  minutes  I  should  have  followed  his  example,  except  the  nasal 
sounds,  but  kept  my  eyes  open  by  a  powerful  effort,  and  watched  the 
flickering  fire,  saw  the  embers  grow  dim,  and  heard  the  loud  calls  of  the 
numerous  coyotes,  as  they  summoned  their  clans  for  an  inspection  of  our 
camp.  The  horses  were  not  easy,  and  seemed  to  fret  at  their  confinement, 
while  Jack  uttered  a  few  low  growls,  then  curled  up  under  the  blankets,  and 
went  to  sleep,  for  the  poor  little  fellow  was  as  tired  as  the  rest  of  us,  and 
needed  repose. 

By  and  by  I  dropped  off  to  sleep,  and  was  half  awakened  by  feeling  some- 
thing  snorting  at  my  ear.  I  imagined  that  it  was  Lewey  trying  to  get  more 
than  his  share  of  the  blankets,  so  spoke  sharply  to  him,  and  said,  — 

"  Lie  still,  you  Frenchman,  and  let  me  sleep,"  and  then  something  hit  me  a 
clip  alongside  of  the  head,  that  was  far  from  pleasant,  and  I  gave  my  compan- 
ion a  kick  on  his  body  that  made  him  utter  a  choice  expression  in  his  na- 
tive tongue,  and  roll  over,  and  then  Jack  darted  out  from  under  the  blan- 
kets, gave  some  shrill  barks,  and  when  I  looked  up  over  me  stood  a  huge, 
hairy  animal,  with  glowering  eyes,  and  a  monstrous  paw,  that  was  raised 
to  let  fall  on  my  face.  By  the  faint  blaze  I  saw  that  my  nocturnal  visitor 
was  a  bear,  and  not  a  small  one,  even  if  he  was  of  the  common  black  variety. 

"  A  bear!  a  bear !  "  I  yelled,  and  rolled  out  of  the  reach  of  the  heavy 
paw,  and  grabbed  my  rifle. 

"  A  bear !  Vare  ?  "  yelled  Lewey,  and,  as  he  struggled  to  his  feet,  he  felt 
where,  for  the  visitor  laid  a  paw  on  the  seat  of  his  trousers,  and  I  heard 
above  the  uproar  the  sharp  tearing  of  cloth  and  buckskin,  and  then  the 
shrill  voice  of  my  friend,  as  he  exclaimed,  — 


Lewey  and  I.  179 


"  By  gar,  clat  hurts." 

As  I  jumped  across  the  fire  I  looked  for  the  Indian,  but  he  had  gone  as 
suddenly  as  he  appeared.  I  snatched  up  a  burning  brand,  and  dashed  it  in 
the  tace  of  the  bear,  which  was  snorting  around  the  camp,  causing  our 
horses  to  be  nearly  frantic  with  terror.  But  the  brand  stopped  pursuit 
for  a  moment,  and  thus  I  was  enabled  to  seize  my  rifle,  and  send  a  ball  into 
his  body.  That  only  rendered  the  beast  more  furious,  and,  with  a  savage 
roar,  he  charged  on  me,  but  I  jumped  aside,  and  escaped  the  deadly  em- 
brace. Then  Lewey  fired,  and,  as  he  did  so,  a  dark  form  bounded  forward, 
and  thrust  a  lance  into  the  beast,  near  the  fore  shoulder,  and,  before  the 
brute  could  snatch  at  the  weapon,  and  break  it,  the  Indian  had  retreated  a 
few  paces,  and  waited  to  see  if  there  was  occasion  for  another  prod,  while 
Lewey  and  I  got  behind  a  neighboring  tree,  loaded  our  rifles,  as  well  as  the 
darkness  would  permit,  and  little  Jack  made  music  and  work  as  he  tugged 
at  the  rear  of  the  savage  beast,  yet  kept  out  of  harm's  way  by  his  agility  and 
carefulness. 

The  flre  leaped  up,  stirred  into  life  by  the  tumult  that  was  raging,  and 
then  we  saw  the  young  Apache  chief  once  more  leap  forward,  and  thrust 
his  long  lance  into  the  body  of  the  bear,  and  this  time  his  stroke  touched 
the  heart,  for  the  animal  uttered  a  faint  roar,  and  tumbled  over,  bit  at  the 
grass  and  ground,  and  was  dead. 

"  Hum,"  said  the  chief.  "Big  feast  tomorrow.  Good  meat  for  warrior. 
Make  brave  heart  for  Indian  on  the  trail." 

We  piled  on  the  wood,  and  lighted  up  the  surroundings,  so  that  we  could 
see  our  prize.  It  was  a  black  bear,  not  one  of  the  ferocious,  fighting,  grisly 
kind,  but  a  beast  formidable  enough  to  weigh  about  five  hundred  pounds. 
We  did  not  care  to  encounter  many  during  our  journey,  especially  in  the 
night. 

It  was  a  long  time  before  we  could  calm  our  horses,  or  get  Jack  to  settle 
down  in  peace  and  quietness.  As  he  labored  under  the  impression  that  he 
had  done  most  of  the  killing,  he  required  us  to  pat  and  praise  him  a  dozen 
times  before  he  could  be  induced  to  curl  up,  and  go  to  sleep,  and  even  then 
he  would  dream  of  the  battle,  and  growl  himself  awake,  dart  to  the  carcass, 
and  sniff  at  it  to  see  if  there  was  any  life  existing.  Satisfied  that  there  was 
none,  he  would  retire  for  another  nap,  and  repeat  the  performance  in  the 
course  of  half  an  hour. 

"  Yankees  heap  brave  men,"  the  Indian  said.  "  No  run  all  the  same 
Mexicans.  We  friends  now  more  than  ever,"  anrl  he  extended  his  paw, 
and  we  again  shook  hands.  He  seemed  to  think  that  there  was  some  spec- 


180  Lewey  and  I. 


ial  significance  in  this  ceremony,  which  he  had  learned  from  his  white  trap- 
per friend. 

We  piled  up  some  wood  on  the  fire,  to  keep  the  coyotes  from  gnawing 
the  carcass  of  the  bear,  and  once  more  went  to  sleep,  and  this  time  we  were 
not  disturbed,  for  we  did  not  awake  until  after  daylight,  and  then  only  by 
the  loud  honking  of  thousands  of  geese  on  the  borders  of  the  stream 

The  young  Indian  had  disappeared,  but  his  blood-stained  lance  was  lean- 
ing against  a  tree,  and  his  hobbled  horse  was  near  our  own,  making  ad- 
vances that  were  scornfully  received  and  rejected  by  our  animals,  as  they 
kicked  and  bit  at  the  mustang  every  time  it  approached  to  exchange  morn- 
ing salutations. 

We  wondered  where  the  Apache  chief  had  gone,  but  did  not  suppose  that 
he  was  far  off,  and  our  surmises  were  correct,  for  the  Indian  came  into 
camp,  bearing  on  his  back  eight  fat  geese,  which  he  had  shot  with  his  bow 
and  arrows,  and  with  hardly  an  effort. 

"Cook  goose,"  the  Indian  said,  and,  drawing  his  knife,  cut  off  neck  and 
legs,  then  run  the  blade  across  the  breast,  stripped  skin  and  feathers  from 
the  carcass  at  one  grand  pull,  and  there  was  the  flesh  and  fat  before  us, 
clean  and  tempting  looking. 

The  chiel  did  not  seem  to  think  that  it  was  necessary  to  remove  the  crop 
and  entrails,  and  smiled  in  a  disdainful  manner  when  we  performed  the  of- 
fice before  laying  the  fowl  upon  the  coals.  However,  he  offered  no  ob- 
jections, and  watched  the  cooking  with  the  concern  of  a  hungry  man,  and, 
when  the  goose  was  done,  and  the  coffee  made,  we  fell  to,  and  there  were 
only  bones  left  for  Jack  to  pick,  but  he  satisfied  his  hunger  on  broiled  veni- 
son. Then  we  lighted  our  pipes,  and,  while  we  were  smoking,  heard  at  a 
distance,  the  gruff  hoot  of  an  owl.  The  Indian  listened  for  a  moment  very 
attentively,  then  put  his  hands  to  his  mouth  and  repeated  the  cry.  Five 
minutes  later  a  dozen  painted  Apache  warriors  burst  through  the  chapparel, 
and  dashed  toward  us,  shaking  their  long,  ornamented  lances  in  an  ominous 
manner. 

"  White  friends  no  move,"  was  the  chief's  command,  as  we  were  about  to 
spring  for  our  rifles,  as  we  thought  our  time  had  come.  "  Hold  dog  fast," 
the  Indian  continued,  noticing  that  Jack  was  struggling  to  escape  from  my 
arms,  and  make  a  rush  toward  the  visitors,  to  investigate  them,  and  see  if 
he  could  not  defeat  them  single  handed.  "  Keep  still.  Me  friend  yours. 
No  hurt  Yankees,  if  you  no  hurt  them." 

We  sat  still,  but  were  a  little  apprehensive  of  trouble.  We  could  not  do 
much  in  the  way  of  defeating  twelve  well-mounted  Apaches,  and  escape  was 


Lewey  and  I.  181 


not  to  be  thought  of,  as  our  horses  were  neither  saddled  nor  bridled,  and 
fastened  to  a  tree. 

As  the  Indians  charged  toward  us,  with  yells  that. were  far  from  cheerful, 
the  young  chief  held  up  one  of  his  hands,  and  t'ten  the  visitors  checked 
their  steeds,  and  remained  motionless,  looking  at  us  with  no  friendly  feel- 
ing in  their  wicked  eyes,  and  probably  wondering  why  they  were  not  per- 
mitted to  tear  the  scalps  from  our  heads,  as  is  the  pleasant  custom  of  the 
fierce  devils,  when  on  the  war  path. 

The  chief  very  deliberately  emptied  a  tin  pot  of  the  last  drops  of  coffee, 
lighted  a  cigarette,  puffed  out  volumes  of  smoke  from  his  nostrils,  then 
calmly  arose,  and  went  toward  his  companions.  There  was  an  interchange 
of  gutterals  and  grunts,  and  we  knew  the  conversation  was  concerning  our 
welfare,  for  the  young  Indian  pointed  toward  us,  and  then  to  the  dead  bear, 
as  if  inviting  his  warriors  to  a  feast.  They  needed  no  second  invitation, 
but  sprang  from  their  horses,  whipped  out  their  knives,  and  commenced 
skinning  the  animal,  while  some  gathered  firewood,  and  made  a  roaring 
blaze,  but,  even  while  the  Apaches  were  thus  engaged,  they  did  not  fail  to 
glance  at  us  with  fierce  eyes,  as  though  longing  for  the  time  when  we  should 
be  given  up  to  torture  and  the  scalping-knife. 

"  I  vish,"  whispered  Lewey,  "  dat  I  vas  on  board  de  old  ship  Admittance, 
and  poundin'  de  chain-cable,  or  even  lushin'  down  de  masts.  Anyding  but 
dis." 

I  also  had  the  same  desire,  but  we  sat  still,  smoked  our  pipes,  and 
watched  the  painted  scamps  as  they  moved  about  the  camp,  preparing  their 
breakfast,  for  we  saw  they  intended  to  have  a  feast  of  bear  meat,  before 
moving  on  a  raid. 

Presently  one  of  the  warriors,  who  seemed  to  have  nothing  to  do,  strode 
toward  our  horses,  appeared  to  admire  them,  and  then  laid  a  hand  on  the 
reatas,  as  though  to  cast  them  off,  and  appropriate  our  property  to  his  own 
use. 

We  made  a  movement  as  if  to  start  up,  and  prevent  the  fellow  from  steal- 
ing our  animals,  but  the  young  chief  noticed  the  act,  and  said,  rather 
sternly,  — 

"  Yankees  quiet  keep.     Me  big  chief,  and  take  care  of  friends." 

He  spoke  in  his  native  tongue  to  the  Apache,  the  one  who  was  making 
free  with  our  mustangs,  and,  while  the  fellow  seemed  to  hesitate  for  a  mo- 
ment, he  did  not  relinquish  his  grasp  of  the  reatas,  as  though  the  tempta- 
tion to  steal  was  too  strong  to  be  overcome. 

Again  the  chief  spoke,  and  this  time  a  little  more  impatiently.     The  war 


Lewey  and  I. 


rior  retained  his  hold  of  the  horses,  in  spite  of  their  plunging,  for  they 
smelled  the  savage,  and  did  not  like  his  odor  or  wild  looks.  Then  the 
Apache  thief  muttered  some  words  which  must  have  been  impudent,  or 
"  back  answers,"  as  we  used  to  say  on  ship-board,  for  the  eyes  of  the  young 
Indian  flashed  like  those  of  an  enraged  mountain  lion.  He  bounded  to  his 
feet,  snatched  his  long  lance,  that  leaned  against  a  tree,  poised  it  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  only  for  a  moment,  and  then  sent  it  whizzing  through  the  air  ap- 
parently without  aim. 

But  it  was  aimed  true,  and  .vent  with  the  force  of  a  tornado.  The  warri- 
or tried  to  dodge  the  flying  lance  by  ducking  his  head,  but  the  barbed  point 
struck  him  on  the  shoulder,  and  down  he  went. 

The  warriors  suspended  their  labors  on  the  bear  tor  a  moment,  and 
looked  at  their  wounded  companion,  but  no  one  offered  to  resent  the 
injury. 

The  chief  muttered  some  angry  words,  and  waved  his  hand.  It  was  an 
order  to  one  of  the  Indians  to  return  his  lance,  and  the  youngest  of  the  gang 
sprang  forward,  tore  the  weapon  from  the  shoulder  of  the  prostrate  Apache, 
regardless  of  his  injuries,  and  then  handed  the  instrument  to  the  chief  with 
every  mark  of  respect,  and  the  latter  received  the  spear  without  even  a 
word  of  thanks,  or  a  cold  nod  of  recognition.  He  seemed  to  be  accustomed 
to  having  his  commands  obeyed,  and  no  wonder,  for  he  was  the  eldest  son 
of  the  most  powerful  and  popular  chie  in  Southern  Arizona,  the  celebrated 
Plomo,  or  lead,  a  savage  now  forgotten,  but  a  well  known  character  forty 
years  ago. 

The  wounded  savage  staggered  to  his  feet,  and  disappeared  in  the  chappa- 
rel,  where  I  have  no  doubt  his  injuries  were  dressed  by  a  comrade,  but  no 
one  sought  to  avenge  the  honor  of  the  disgraced  Apache,  or  took  any  fur- 
ther notice  of  the  incident. 

"  Now  ready  you  get,"  the  young  Indian  chief  said,  as  soon  as  he  had  shown 
his  authority.  "  Me  show  you  place  to  cross  de  river.  Ride  hard,  and  no 
say  nothin'  about  Apaches  to  Mexicans.  Me  spoken,  you  hear  ?  " 

We  nodded,  and  lost  no  time  in  preparing  for  our  journey.  We 
thought  it  was  best  to  put  some  miles  between  us  and  the  painted  savages. 
Our  horses  were  in  good  order  for  a  long  gallop,  and  we  mentally  agreed 
not  to  halt  until  we  had  gained  the  shelter  of  the  ranch";  at  San  Mateo, 
where  we  hoped  to  pass  the  night. 

As  we  gathered  up  our  blankets  and  stores,  the  Indians  piled  on  the  fire 
huge  lumps  of  bear  and  deer  meat,  and  hardly  allowed  them  to  be  warmed 
through  before  they  were  pulled  from  the  ashes,  and  devoured,  the  grease 


Lewey  and  I.  183 


and  blood  running  down  each  side  of  their  ugly  and  dirty  mouths,  and  from 
thence  trickling  to  their  naked,  painted  breasts. 

As  we  put  the  saddles  on  the  horses,  many  a  wild,  savage  look  was  di- 
rected to  our  blankets  and  stores,  but  not  a  word  was  uttered,  or  a  hand 
raised  to  help  or  restrain  us  from  leaving.  Our  rifles  seemed  to  excite  ad- 
miration, but  no  one  ventured  to  lay  a  finger  on  our  guns,  much  as  they 
wanted  to.  The  chief  appeared  to  keep  his  eyes  on  his  followers,  and  his 
lance  was  near  at  hand. 

In  half  an  hour's  time  we  were  ready  to  depart,  and  looked  anxious!}* 
toward  the  chief  for  permission  to  move  on.  He  spoke  a  few  words  to  a 
warrior,  and  the  latter  went  in  search  of  the  mustang  that  had  been  hobbled 
the  night  before.  It  was  not  far  off.  Without  saddle  or  bridle  the  young 
Indian  sprang  on  its  back,  and  motioned  for  us  to  follow  him. 

"  Good-by,  red  men  of  de  mountains  and  plains,"  said  Lewey,  turning  to 
the  Indians,  for  he  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  say  a  few  words,  like 
a  woman  who  is  mad  all  over,  and  desires  the  last  expression  of  her  opinion. 
"  May  ve  nebber  meet  agin  in  dis  vorld,  or  de  vorld  to  come,  but  of  dat  ve 
has  no  fear.  A  long  farewell  to  all  of  you  now  and  forebber,  amen.  Now  I 
lay  me  down  to  sleep,"  and  here  the  boy  forgot  the  rest  of  the  petition,  and 
did  not  wait  for  the  gruff  exclamation  of  astonishment  from  the  savages, 
who  were  not  aware  of  the  benedictions  he  was  calling  down  on  their  heads 
in  so  serious  a  strain. 

"  How,"  the  Apaches  said,  and  waved  their  soiled  hands  in  token  of  fare- 
well. 

Jack  gave  a  final  bark  of  disgust  at  the  painted  devils,  and  then  trotted 
on  ahead,  glad  to  get  out  of  such  disreputable  company,  and  even  our  mus- 
tangs tossed  their  heads,  and  manifested  pleasure  at  being  free  of  such  dirty 
society  as  they  had  been  forced  to  consort  with  for  the  past  few  hours. 

We  followed  the  young  chief  along  the  bank  of  the  stream  for  a  mile,  or 
less,  and  then  saw  a  place  where  his  band  had  forded  that  morning.  The 
water  was  not  more  than  two  feet  deep,  we  judged,  and  we  could  see  the 
trail  that  led  to  it  for  a  long  distance,  sharply  defined  through  the  grass 
and  high  chapparel. 

"  Here  cross  you,"  the  chief  said,  with  a  significant  wave  of  his  hand. 
"  Now  part  we,  and  nebber  meet  each  other  agin.  If  you  see  more  Indians 
of  my  band  show  'em  this,  and  no  hurt." 

He  tore  off  a  feather  from  his  headdress,  notched  it  in  a  peculiar  manner 
with  his  knife,  and  handed  it  to  us. 

We  thanked  him  for  his  kindness,  and  then  I  offered  to  bestow  a  hand  of 


1 84  Lewey  and  I. 


tobacco,  as  some  sort  of  recompense  for  his  protection.  He  took  it,  nodded, 
and  once  more  pointed  to  the  ford,  as  if  impatient  for  us  to  go  without 
delay. 

We  shook  hands,  started  our  horses,  and  crossed  the  creek  in  safety,  and, 
when  we  reached  dry  ground,  turned  in  our  saddles,  and  saw  the  Apache 
still  standing  where  we  had  left  him, -watching our  movements.  We  waved 
our  hands  once  more,  touched  our  mustangs  with  spurs,  and  hurried  from 
the  scene  as  fast  as  possible,  and  that  was  the  last  we  saw  of  the  young 
chief. 

"  I  vonder,"  asked  Lewey,  "if  he  did  not  much  regret,  ven  he  seed  us 
goin'  from  him  and  his  dirty  gang,  dat  he  no  keep  us  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure  on  that  point  let  us  hasten  our  steps,'"'  I  answered,  and  away 
we  went  at  a  lively  lope,  and  did  not  check  our  horses  until  we  saw  that 
Jack  was  suffering  at  the  pace,  and  needed  a  breathing  spell.  Then  we 
walked  our  steeds,  and  talked  of  the  lucky  escape  we  had  made,  and  how 
thankful  we  should  be  that  we  had  claimed  America  as  our  home  instead  of 
Mexico  or  California.  Nevertheless,  we  still  resolved  to  call  ourselves 
Frenchmen  at  the  next  stopping-place,  unless  it  was  occupied  by  Indians. 
For  the  sake  of  our  lives  we  determined  to  be  anything  and  everything, — 
Yankee,  gringo,  greaser,  Mexican,  or  French.  It  did  not  matter. .to  us  as 
long  as  we  saved  our  persons  and  scalps,  for  we  thought  more  of  them  than 
country. 

As  the  hour  was  early  and  cool,  we  got  over  considerable  ground  before 
noon.  The  trail  was  at  times  a  little  indistinct,  but  we  pointed  our 
heads  toward  the  north,  and  could  tell  by  the  sun  in  which  direction  we 
were  traveling.  About  twelve  o'clock  we  saw  a  spring  bubbling  up  from  a 
little  sand-hill,  and  thought  it  a  good  place  to  stop  and  rest.  Jack  went  for 
the  water,  took  a  lap,  then  uttered  a  yell,  rubbed  his  mouth,  and  backed  off, 
disgusted. 

"  Vot  is  de  niitter  vid  de  dog  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  and  took  his  tin  pot,  dip- 
ped up  some  of  the  water,  and  put  it  to  his  lips. 

Then  he  uttered  a  strong  exclamation,  such  as  he  had  learned  on  ship- 
board, spat  the  water  from  his  mouth,  and  said,  — 

"  It  is  hot  as  de  infernal  regions,  and  taste  just  like  de  place  you  go  to 
ven  you  dies." 

It  was  a  hot  sulphur  spring,  bubbling  cut  of  the  earth,  and  killing  all 
vegetation  where  its  waters  flowed,  and  mingled  with  the  ground.  In  these 
days  such  a  place  would  attract  thousands  of  visitors,  for  the  sake  of  bath- 
ing and  drinking,  and  I  have  often  wondered  if  that  spring  has  ever  been 


Lewey  and  /.  185 


utilized  in  the  present  modern  times,  or  if  an  earthquake  has  directed  the 
source  of  its  flow  to  any  other  quarter. 

We  hunted  around  for  cold  water,  and  found  some  in  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity. It  was  heavily  charged  with  iron,  but  sweet  and  pure.  There  were 
no  signs  of  Indians  or  bears  near  us,  so  we  thought  it  would  be  safe  to  un- 
saddle our  horses,  and  give  them  a  good  feed  and  rest.  The  grass  was 
plentiful,  and  we  could  screen  ourselves  from  the  hot  sun  under  some  trees, 
if  disposed  to  take  a  few  winks  of  sleep  after  our  lunch.  Then,  for  the  first 
time  we  realized  that  we  had  nothing  to  eat  except  bread  and  coffee.  We 
had  left  the  carcass  of  the  deer  with  the  Indians,  glad  enough  to  get  away 
from  them  without  claiming  our  property.  There  was  a  prospect  of  being 
hungry,  but  just  then  I  happened  to  hear  some  cooing  in  a  distant  tree,  and 
on  going  to  it,  found  that  there  were  thousands  of  wild  pigeons  roosting  in 
its  branches,  sheltering  themselves  from  the  noonday  heat.  Here  was  food 
before  us,  and  in  abundance.  Besides,  there  were  plenty  of  small  stones 
and  clubs  lying  near,  so  that  we  could  kill  all  the  birds  we  needed,  and  not 
waste  a  shot,  sending  some  lurking  Apache  to  our  retreat,  in  case  he  should 
hear  the  report  of  a  rifle. 

It  seemed  cruel  to  kill  the  gentle,  pretty  little  things,  so  innocent  of  any 
contemplated  wrong  on  our  part,  for  they  did  not  offer  to  fly  even  when  I 
was  under  the  tree.  But  we  were  hungry,  and  the  stomach  stifles  con- 
science and  generous  resolutions.  I  picked  up  a  club,  and  threw  it  with  all 
the  strength  of  my  arm.  The  weapon  struck  a  thick  covy,  and  down  tum- 
bled eight  birds.  The  uninjured  ones  just  cooed  a  little  louder  than  usual 
but  did  not  offer  to  fly. 

I  gathered  up  my  spoil,  and,  as  we  had  all  that  we  could  eat  for  one  meal, 
left  the  birds  without  further  destruction. 

Lewey  was  rejoiced  when  he  saw  what  I  had  secured.  He  started  the 
fire,  and  then  we  plucked  the  pigeons,  cooked  them  over  the  coals,  and 
there  was  enough  for  us.  including  Jack,  who  had  a  whole  one,  beside  the 
bones  we  tossed  to  him,  which  his  looks  gravely  assured  us  were  wel- 
come. 

A  few  whiffs  from  our  pipes,  a  short  nap,  and  we  were  ready  to  resume 
our  journey,  but  Lewey  proposed  that  we  should  have  a  hot  sulphur  bath 
before  we  started,  thinking  that  it  would  invigorate  us  for  a  long  ride  in  the 
afternoon.  The  project  was  a  good  one,  and,  with  towels  in  hand,  we  went 
to  the  hot  spring,  but  the  waters  were  so  warm  that  we  could  not  bathe,  so 
contented  ourselves  with  filling  tin  pots,  and  throwing  the  contents  over  cur 
persons,  when  sufficiently  cool.  In  this  way  we  had  quite  a  little  wash, 


1 86  Lewey  and  I. 


and  felt  much  better  for  it,  although  Lewey  said  that  the  sulphur  bit  sor^e 
portions  of  his  skin,  where  the  hear  had  hit  him  the  night  before,  and 
which  riding  horseback  had  not  improved  to  any  great  extent,  to  judge  by 
the  way  the  French  lad  danced  around  on  one  foot,  and  uttered  startling 
exclamations  in  several  different  tongues,  and  seemed  inclined  to  be  indig- 
nant because  I  laughed  at  him,  as  I  felt  not  his  smarts.  It  is  easy  to 
laugh  at  another's  woes. 

We  started  on  our  journey  about  three  o'clock,  our  bodies  and  horses  re- 
freshed for  the  ride  to  San  Mateo,  where  we  expected  to  find  a  ranche,  and 
quarters  for  the  night.  As  we  left  our  camping  ground,  which  is  now  a 
railroad  station,  and  called  Vista,  we  almost  regretted  that  we  could  not 
pass  the  night  in  such  a  pleasant  place.  But  the  fear  of  Indians  was  on 
our  minds,  and  we  did  not  dare  to  tarry  any  longer  in  such  a  lonely 
place. 

The  trail  for  the  afternoon  led  us  over  rough  hills  and  sandy  plains,  and 
toward  sundown  we  looked  on  a  pleasant  valley,  and  saw  an  adobe  house 
and  out-buildings,  and  more  than  a  thousand  head  of  cattle  grazing  on  the 
rich  grass.  Two  rancheros,  mounted  on  strong  mustangs,  were  dashing 
over  the  plain,  but  as  soon  as  they  saw  us,  uttered  a  loud  Mexican  yell,  and 
spurred  their  horses  toward  the  houses,  as  though  to  seek  shelter  from 
suspicious  visitors. 

We  did  not  quicken  our  pace,  but  moved  along  slowly,  so  that  the  people 
could  get  over  their  scare,  and  receive  us  as  Christians,  and  not  as  Apache 
warriors,  as  they  probably  thought  we  were. 

We  rode  up  to  the  corral,  and  then  waited  for  some  one  to  make  an  ap- 
pearance. Two  dogs  were  in  the  dooryard,  but  they  only  barked  at  us,  and 
did  not  venture  near,  for  reasons  best  known  to  themselves. 

Presently  we  saw  the  door  of  the  adobe  house  cautiously  opened,  and  a 
wild  looking  greaser's  head  thrust  out,  and  a  long,  big-bored  escopeta  was 
pointed  in  our  direction. 

"  Who  in  the  devil's  name  are  you  ?  "  was  asked  in  Spanish. 

"  We  are  friends,"  was  our  response,  "on  the  way  to  Los  Angeles.  We 
crave  shelter  for  the  night,  and  God  will  reward  you  for  your  kindness,  as 
we  can't,  being  poor." 

"  Where  do  you  come  from  ?  "  and  the  door  was  opened  a  little  further, 
so  that  a  more  distinct  view  could  be  obtained  of  our  persons,  and  honest- 
looking  faces. 

"San  Diego,  and  we  are  French  boys,  traveling  through  the  country  for 
pleasure." 


Lewey  and  I.  187 


"  Have  you  papers  granting  you  permission  for  the  journey  ?  "  was  next 
demanded. 

"  Lots  of  them.     Come  and  read  them  if  you  will,"  was  our  response. 

"  No  one  in  this  house  can  read,"  was  the  answer. 

We  had  expected  the  reply,  so  were  not  disappointed. 

"  Then  come  and  look  at  us.  You  have  nothing  to  fear.  We  have  ridden 
hard  to  escape  the  Apaches,  whom  we  met  this  morning,"  I  shouted. 

"  Santa  Maria,  do  you  mean  that  you  have  seen  wild  Indians  near  us?  '' 
and  the  greaser  threw  open  his  door,  came  toward  us,  gun  in  hand,  followed 
by  a  son,  also  anned,  and  ready  to  shoot  at  the  first  provocation. 

"  Yes  "  was  our  answer,  as  the  men  drew  near  and  looked  more  friendly, 
seeing  that  we  were  not  formidable  appearing.  "  A  party  of  Apache  Indi- 
ans is  at  San  Felipe  Creek.  We  escaped  by  hard  riding,  but,  as  they  did 
not  cross  the  stream,  it  is  probable  that  they  have  gone  south  on  a  raid." 

"  Thank  the  saints  for  that,"  and  both  men  crossed  themselves.  "  Dis- 
mount, senors.  Our  house  and  all  that  it  contains  are  at  i,  our  service." 

We  did  not  require  further  urging.  Our  saddles  were  taken  from  the 
horses  and  stored  in  a  shed,  where  we  knew  the  night  would  have  to  be 
passed,  for  it  was  the  guest  chamber  for  strangers,  and  then  we  piquetted 
our  animals  where  the  feed  was  good,  and  by  this  time  Jack  had  licked  the 
greaser's  dogs  into  respectful  treatment ;  consequently  he  was  happy,  and 
made  himself  quite  at  home. 

When  we  returned  to  the  house  two  women  had  made  their  appearance, 
one  the  wife  of  the  old  Mexican,  and  the  other  the  spouse  of  the  son. 
Neither  was  very  clean,  nor  handsome  so  Lewey  had  to  content  himself 
with  grumbling  because  they  lacked  beaut}*,  and  there  was  no  chance  for 
him  to  flirt  and  utter  soft  nonsense,  as  was  his  usual  custom,  when  he  had 
nothing  better  to  do.  The  ladies  of  the  htmse  were  a  little  diffident,  and 
hardly  raised  their  eyes  to  our  faces,  for  the  presence  of  strangers  was  em- 
barrassing, they  saw  so  few  in  that  lonely  location.  But  they  commenced 
the  usual  deliberate  preparations  for  supper,  and  soon  the  smell  of  tortillas 
arose  on  the  air,  and  the  mysterious  olia  was  simmering  on  the  fire. 

We  had  to  relate  all  of  our  experiences  with  the  Indians,  but  did  not 
deem  it  best  to  confine  ourselves  strictly  to  truth  in  so  doing.  We  said 
that  as  we  were  about  to  cross  the  stream,  a  band  of  Apaches  had  appeared 
in  our  rear,  arid  uttered  yells  and  threats,  but  did  not  pursue  us,  and  that 
the  last  we  saw  of  the  savages  they  were  headed  south.  We  did  not  deem 
it  best  to  boast  of  our  friendship  for  the  young  chief,  for  it  might  have 
made  the  Mexicans  suspicious.  Neither  did  we  hint  that  we  had  killed 


1 88  Lewey  and  I. 


three  Indians  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lonely  ranche,  and  thus  saved  the  life  of 
a  very  sweet  young  girl.  We  did  not  care  to  have  the  information  reach 
the  ears  of  the  Apaches,  as  we  might  desire  to  cross  over  the  trail  at  some 
distant  day,  and  perhaps  meet  the  savages  a  second  time. 

*'  Why  did  not  the  Indians  pursue  you  ?  "  asked  the  old  Mexican,  as  soon 
as  we  had  concluded  our  yarn. 

"  Because  we  were  better  mounted  than  themselves,  and  had  rifles,"  was 
our  answer.  "  They  feared  our  guns,  and  sure  aim,"  making  it  appear  that 
we  were  dead  shots,  and  terrible  fellows. 

"  Your  horses  are  two  of  the  best  in  the  country.  One  of  them  we  know 
weJI.  It  has  been  ridden  by  the  government  courier  Pedro.  He  passed  by 
here  but  a  few  days  ago,"  the  old  greaser  remarked,  and  there  was  a  tinge 
of  suspicion  in  his  tones. 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  in  an  indifferent  manner,  "  we  met  him  at  Tobias's  ranche, 
and  there  made  a  good  trade,  —  our  horse  and  eight  reals  for  his." 

The  son  laughed,  and  the  old  man  grinned. 

"  Pedro  is  sharp  and  bright,"  the  former  said.  "  Holy  Virgin,  but  he  will 
be  a  rich  man  one  of  these  days,  unless  he  is  killed  by  the  Apaches.  Only 
think  of  the  rogue  making  such  a  bargain.  Ah,  to  gain  money  one  must 
mingle  with  the  world.  How  often  I  have  said  it,  padre,  and  desired  to  go 
to  Los  Angeles  in  search  of  fortune.  There  silver  is  to  be  picked  up  by 
the  handfuls,  and  all  the  people  are  rich." 

But  the  old  man  frowned  upon  such  wild  statements,  and  said  many  years 
before  he  had  seen  the  wonders  of  the  town,  and  pesos  were  as  scarce  as 
on  the  ranche,  and  food  much  dearer.  None  but  a  loco  would  want  to  live 
there,  for  the  people  were  proud,  and  every  door  was  not  open  to  the  stran- 
ger. So  the  son  was  silenced,  but  not  convinced,  in  this  respect  resembling 
the  farmers'  children  of  our  State,  who  tire  of  the  homesteads,  and  want  to 
see  more  of  life  than  a  little  village  can  sho  v.  In  the  young  man's  eyes 
Los  Angeles  was  like  the  capital  of  the  world,  teeming  with  wealth  and 
opportunities  to  become  suddenly  rich.  He  had  never  read  a  page  of  a 
book,  because  he  could  not,  and  what  he  knew  about  life  in  other  parts  was 
gained  from  the  courageous  priests,  who  once  in  a  while  made  a  circuit  of 
the  sparsely  inhabited  districts,  for  the  purpose  of  christening,  marrying, 
hearing  confessions,  and  celebrating  mass,  when  there  were  a  dozen  or  even 
less  people  brought  together  for  the  purpose  of  enjoying  such  religious  con- 
solation. 

We  produced  our  stock  of  tobacco  after  supper,  and  sat  around  the  fire, 
and  smoked  cigarettes  and  pipes,  until  the  cries  of  the  neighboring  coyotes 


Leivey  and  I.  189 


warned  us  that  it  was  near  eight  o'clock,  and  time  to  retire.  The  ranchero 
was  not  quite  satisfied  that  the  Indians  would  not  swarm  down  upon  him  in 
the  course  of  the  night,  so  laid  his  huge  escopetas  where  they  would  be 
convenient,  and  asked  us  if  we  would  assist  in  case  an  attack  was  made, 
and  to  this  we  readily  consented.  He  stated  that  he  relied  more  on  his 
dogs  to  give  warning  than  his  own  watchfulness,  as  they  hated  the  sight  or 
smell  of  an  Indian,  and  would  make  noise  enough  to  wake  us  up  in  case  the 
Apaches  approached.  The  curs  did  not  return  the  yelps  of  the  coyotes,  as 
they  had  become  so  accustomed  to  their  barks  that  no  notice  was  taken  of 
the  noisy  pests.  Nothing  but  the  wild  scream  of  a  mountain  lion,  or  the 
peregrinations  of  a  hungry  black  bear  could  disturb  the  sleep  of  a  greaser's 
dog,  except  the  peculiar  perfume  of  a  savage  Indian,  and  that  the  curs 
seemed  to  detect,  even  if  the  Apaches  were  at  a  great  distance.  They  may 
have  learned  in  some  way  that  the  Indians  were  partial  to  baked  dog,  and 
considered  it  a  staple  dish  when  at  home,  or  in  camp  for  any  length  of 
time. 

To  be  on  the  safe  side  we  secured  our  horses  in  the  corral  for  the  night, 
and  then  went  to  sleep,  tired  with  our  long  ride,  and  the  disturbed  slumbers 
of  the  night  before.  We  had  as  bed-fellows  the  usual  number  of  fleas  and 
bugs,  but  were  now  quite  tough,  could  endure  a  large  amount  of  biting  and 
scratching,  still  remain  quite  comfortable,  and  not  awaken  to  curse  the  ob- 
noxious insects,  as  many  bad  men  would  have  done,  with  less  tender  skins 
than  our  own. 

The  night  passed  without  an  alarm.  We  were  up  soon  after  daylight, 
and  astonished  the  people  of  the  house  by  washing  our  hands  and  faces,  a 
proceeding  that  they  thought  savored  of  weak  minds.  The  son  showed  us 
his  paws  and  rather  dark  countenance,  and  stated  in  the  most  candid  man- 
ner, that  he  had  not  used  water  on  either  for  some  weeks,  and  yet,  he  urged, 
they  were  not  soiled.  We  did  not  dare  to  dispute  the  point  with  him,  but 
took  precious  good  care  that  he  did  not  handle  our  food.  The  women's 
work  we  had  to  endure,  but  shut  our  eyes,  and  hoped  for  the  best,  as  we 
lifted  tortillas  to  our  mouths,  and  wondered  if  we  should  die  after  eating  a 
peck  of  dirt.  If  the  proverb  held  good  we  feared  that  t\\o  m'ce  young  men 
would  be  taken  off  very  early  in  their  career  of  usefulness,  for  filth  was 
cheap. 

After  breakfast  we  rewarded  our  host  and  son  with  half  a  hand  of  tobac- 
co, to  pay  for  our  entertainment,  fed  our  horses  with  a  measure  of  barley, 
gave  them  a  little  grazing,  and  then  made  a  few  enquiries  regarding  our 
journey,  and  the  trail.  The  old  Mexican  had  been  over  it,  and  directed  us 


190  Lewey  and  I. 


as  well  as  he  was  able,  but  did  not  speak  in  the  most  encouraging  manner 
of  the  mountain  goiges  and  canyons,  while  crossing  the  Sierra  Madre,  yet 
he  wound  up  with  declaring  that  the  view  from  the  summit  of  the  most  ele- 
vated portion  of  our  route  was  something  wonderful,  and  long  to  be  remem- 
bered. He  also  gave  us  the  cheering  information  that  we  might  have  to 
camp  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  that  night,  it  being  dangerous  to  attempt 
the  canyons  in  the  darkness,  as  a  mis-step  would  cause  us  to  fall  hundreds 
of  feet,  upon  the  water-courses  and  rocks  below.  We  were  advised  to  keep 
a  good  fire  burning,  to  frighten  off  the  mountain  lions  and  bears,  and  i.ot  to 
sleep  both  at  the  same  time,  unless  we  could  rely  on  our  dog  to  give  us 
warning  of  the  approach  of  wild  beasts. 

We  thanked  the  Mexican  for  his  advice,  saddled  our  horses,  and  then 
bid  farewell  to  the  family,  with  a  parting  warning  to  keep  their  eyes  open  for 
the  Apaches.  The  son  whispered  that  he  wished  he  was  going  wiih  us, 
and  we  should  have  liked  his  company,  provided  he  had  washed  his  hands 
previous  to  starting  on  the  journey,  and  continued  the  practice  as  long  as 
he  was  in  our  society,  and  handled  our  food 

We  touched  our  hats  to  the  ladies,  said  "  Adios,  senors,"  to  the  men,  and 
were  off,  loping  along  at  a  moderate  pace,  to  our  own  joy,  and  that  of 
Jack,  who  was  glad  to  be  clear  of  the  companionship  of  dogs  covered  with 
fleas,  and  who  spent  most  of  their  time  biting  and  scratching  at  the  hungry 
insects. 

The  day  was  pleasant,  with  a  warm  sun  overhead,  and  we  had  no  fear  of 
Indians  in  that  part  of  the  country,  so  rode  on  as  unconcerned  as  men  could 
who  were  not  too  well  acquainted  with  the  trail.  Lewey  was  unusually 
cheerful,  and  confided  to  me  how  anxious  he  was  to  see  Engracia,  and  that 
he  would  have  been  a  fool  to  marry  Florencia,  and  buried  himself  in  a 
wilderness  for  the  sake  of  any  woman,  no  matter  how  handsome  she  might 
be,  and  when  I  said  that  he  was  as  fickle  as  a  spring  morning,  the  boy  only 
laughed,  and  intimated  that  he  could  not  help  it.  He  was  born  so,  and 
could  never  change. 

We  passed  through  what  is  now  called  Aluchiola  and  Santa  Ana,  stopped 
for  a  brief  space  at  a  spring,  where  we  had  some  more  wild  pigeons  for 
lunch,  obtained  by  the  primitive  method  of  knocking  them  from  the  branch- 
es of  trees  by  the  aid  of  clubs,  and,  for  fear  we  should  not  fare  well  at  sup- 
per time,  killed  two  dozen  of  the  birds,  and  packed  them  in  a  bag,  where 
we  carried  some  of  our  useful  articles.  Then,  rested  and  refreshed,  we 
pushed  on  for  the  mountains,  and  the  long  canyon  that  was  to  lead  us  to 
Los  Angeles  Valley,  and  the  town  of  that  name. 


Lewey  and  I.  191 

The  un  was  already  near  the  ocean  when  we  drew  up,  and  concluded  to 
camp  for  the  night,  for  before  us  were  rough  and  threatening  canyons  and 
dense  gorges.  We  needed  bright  sunlight  to  lead  us  on  our  way  over  the 
Madre  Mountains,  the  dangers  of  which  we  did  not  underrate.  We  found  a 
stream  of  pure  water,  but  it  was  not  more  than  two  feet  deep,  and  easily 
forded.  The  source  was  from  the  snow-capped  hills,  extending  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  see,  north  and  south,  rough  and  shaggy. 

We  unsaddled  our  horses  near  the  stream,  where  the  grass  was  nutri- 
tious, and  firewood  abundant,  washed  down  from  the  mountains  during  the 
floods  of  the  rainy  season,  or  when  the  snow  was  melted  by  the  hot  sun  of 
the  summer  months.  We  found  a  huge  pine-tree,  under  the  branches  of 
which  we  resolved  to  build  our  fire  and  sleep.  To  the  trunk  we  could  se- 
cure our  horses  for  the  night,  having  them  within  the  protecting  light  of  the 
flames,  and  so  keep  mountain  lions  and  bears  at  a  distance.  We  had  been 
given  to  understand  that  it  was  not  the  common  black  bear  that  would  be 
likely  to  molest  us  on  the  mountains,  but  the  savage  old  grisly  or  a  cinna- 
mon oso,  the  latter  full  as  dangerous  as  the  bigger  animal,  and  a  more  ac- 
tive beast  when  wounded,  for  he  never  knows  when  he  is  whipped. 

As  there  was  still  considerable  daylight  remaining,  I  took  my  fish-line, 
and  tried  my  luck  in  the  stream,  while  Lewey  started  a  fire,  and  boiled  the 
coffee.  At  first  I  did  not  get  a  bite,  but  near  a  dam,  that  might  have  been 
erected  by  beavers,  I  had  a  beautiful  rise,  and  landed  a  pound  trout,  and  out 
of  one  prolific  hole  I  caught  six  handsome  fish,  enough  for  supper  and 
breakfast,  in  connection  with  the  pigeons,  no  mean  help,  when  two  hungry 
men  sit  down  to  a  feast,  and  a  dog  is  watching  every  mouthful  they  eat,  and 
looks  a  little  abused  if  they  do  not  throw  him  a  substantial  chunk  of  flesh 
or  fish  every  minute  or  two,  and  reminds  them  that  they  are  neglecting  cer- 
tain duties  by  laying  a  paw  on  their  arms  every  time  he  thinks  he  is  not 
properly  served  with  some  choice  bits. 

But  there  was  enough  for  all  of  us,  and  even  Jack  turned  away  in  disdain 
from  a  pigeon's  wing,  or  the  tail  of  a  trout,  after  he  had  eaten  to  repletion, 
and  looked  in  our  faces,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Do  you  think  I  am  a  glutton 
to  endure  all  that  you  desire  me  to  eat  ?  " 

We  sat  around  the  fire  until  the  flames  cast  strange  and  fantastic  shapes 
on  the  ground,  and  on  the  huge,  rugged  rocks,  and,  when  we  had  smoke  1 
our  pipes,  darkness  warned  us  that  it  was  time  to  look  after  our  horses,  and 
get  them  near  the  blaze,  and  out  of  the  way  of  the  sudden  spring  of  wild  an- 
imals. Already  the  mustangs  were  impatient  for  our  companionship,  as 
they  uttered  soft  whinnys,  as  if  pleading  for  our  presence,  and  the  sound  of 


Lewey  and  I. 


our  voices.  It  was  indeed  a  lonely  scene,  and  we  could  not  help  glancing 
over  our  shoulders  as  we  sat  on  the  ground,  always  expecting  to  see  some- 
thing uncanny  coming  out  from  the  darkness,  and  giving  us  no  room  for  a 
shot. 

We  looked  to  our  rifles  and  pistols,  tried  the  edges  of  our  long  knives, 
and,  guns  in  hands,  went  to  our  horses,  and  brought  them  under  the  pine- 
tree's  sheltering  branches.  We  had  just  got  them  secured  for  the  night 
when  a  shrill  scream  came  from  a  canyon  up  the  mountain,  and  we  knew 
that  a  fierce  lion  was  our  neighbor,  and  likely  to  trouble  us  for  some  hours, 
unless  we  could  dispose  of  him  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  Our  horses  trem- 
bled, and  even  Jack  did  not  deem  it  advisable  to  leave  the  vicinity  of  the 
fire,  and  seek  an  encounter  with  the  beast. 

We  piled  more  wood  on  the  flames,  and  watched  for  the  mountain  lion  to 
show  himself,  but  he  did  not  seem  disposed  to  venture  near  us  for  some 
time.  We  could  hear  him  jump  from  rock  to  rock,  and  growl,  and  every 
few  minutes  utter  a  yell  that  made  us  quake  with  fear,  but  we  did  not.  go  in 
pursuit,  and  so  sat  there  for  an  hour  or  more,  until  at  last  the  beast  grew 
bolder,  and  came  sneaking  near  the  horses.  Then  we  got  a  fair  glimpse  of 
his  wicked  eyes,  and  determined  to  test  the  effect  of  rifle-balls,  and  see  if 
we  could  not  kill  or  disable  him,  as  the  hungry  savage  was  liable  to  make  a 
spring  at  any  moment,  either  on  us  or  the  mustangs. 

"  Aim  at  de  eyes,"  whispered  Lewey,  and,  as  he  spoke,  we  drew  up  our 
rifles,  and  fired. 

The  shots  must  have  taken  effect,  for  there  were  shrill  screams  of  pain 
and  rage,  and  then  a  huge,  tawny-colored  body,  dimly  seen  by  the  flickering 
flames,  bounded  toward  us,  and  landed  directly  in  the  rear  of  the  horses, 
the  worst  place  the  lion  could  have  chosen,  for  the  now  thoroughly  mad- 
dened animals  launched  out  their  heels  in  spiteful  fury,  struck  the  wild 
beast  square  on  the  ribs  and  shoulder,  sent  it  rolling  over  the  ground,  and 
in  our  direction.  Before  the  brute  could  recover  from  its  surprise  we 
emptied  the  contents  of  our  pistols  in  its  body,  but  even  then  it  tried  to  re- 
gain its  feet,  and  renew  the  fight  for  life.  Our  dog  now  thought  it  time  to 
show  his  spirit,  and  with  a  growl  dashed  at  the  hind-quarters  of  the  animal, 
and  nipped  it  near  its  tail,  but  the  beast  turned  and  struck  at  Jack  so  fierce 
a  blow  with  its  fore  paw,  that  our  pet's  life  would  have  ended  then  and 
there  had  the  claws  touched  him.  Luckily,  the  dog  was  so  nimble  he 
avoided  the  stroke,  and,  before  the  lion  could  make  another  demonstration, 
we  seized  two  large  stones,  and  dashed  them  on  the  head  of  the  tough  beast. 
This  last  assault  seemed  to  finish  it,  but  to  make  sure  work  we  continued 


Lewey  and  /.  193 


to  pound  the  prostrate  savage  until   no    signs  of  life  remained,  and  then 
Jack  ventured  near  the  body,  and  sniffed  at  it  with  perfect  freedom. 

"  Dat  vos  veil  done,"  Lewey  remarked,  as  soon  as  we  could  take  a 
breathing  spell.  "  De  brute  vas  vusser  den  de  Injuns  or  de  bear.  Now  ve 
vill  get  ready  for  de  next  von." 

We  loaded  our  rifles  and  pistols,  dragged  the  dead  beast  some  distance 
from  our  horses,  so  that  they  could  not  see  it,  or  smell  the  blood,  then  pet- 
ted the  mustangs  until  they  quieted  down  and  no  longer  showed  signs  of 
fear.  It  was  wonderful  to  note  the  actions  of  our  steeds,  how  they  craved 
our  company  and  kind  words,  and  seemed  to  have  confidence  in  our  pres- 
ence and  power  to  keep  them  from  all  harm. 

Both  of  us  did  not  dare  to  sleep  at  the  same  time  after  this  dramatic 
episode,  so  we  collected  some  fresh  fuel,  and  then  Lewey  lay  down  and 
took  a  nap,  while  I  kept  the  fire  going,  and  watched  at  the  same  time.  It 
was  terribly  lonely  that  dark  night,  lying  as  we  were  under  the  shadow  of 
the  mountains,  with  not  a  human  being  within  twenty  miles  of  us,  as  far  as 
we  knew.  The  air  was  filled  with  strange  sounds,  and  the  wind  sighed 
mournfully  through  the  canyons  and  gorges  of  the  dark,  rugged  hills.  The 
coyotes  uttered  sharp  barks  in  the  valleys,  and  called  to  each  other  for  in- 
formation as  to  the  strange  lights  they  saw,  but  did  not  venture  mar  us, 
and  we  should  not  have  cared  much  for  them  if  they  had,  as  we  were  accus- 
tomed to  their  ways,  and  knew  their  cowardly  nature  too  well  to  fear  their 
presence. 

While  I  watched,  and  kept  the  fire  going,  I  heard  the  gruff  growls  of  a 
bear  coming  through  one  of  the  canyons,  but  he  seemed  so  surprised  at  the 
flames,  that  he  uttered  his  displeasure  in  angry  sniffs,  and  then  waddled  off 
in  another  direction,  not  venturing  near  us,  for  which  I  was  very  thankful, 
as  I  had  encountered  all  the  adventures  I  desired  for  one  night,  and  could 
not  repress  a  sigh  as  I  thought  of  my  loneliness,  and  how  uncertain  was 
the  future.  Perhaps  there  were  tears  in  my  eyes  for  a  moment,  for  I  know 
that  the  stars  seemed  to  suddenly  become  dim,  and  some  of  the  constella- 
tions disappeared  from  sight.  My  head  drooped  to  my  breast,  and  a  sob 
startled  me  so  much  that  I  brushed  the  moisture  from  my  eyes.  I  knew 
that  repining  would  not  restore  me  to  my  old  ship,  now  near  home,  so 
hummed  a  sea-song,  to  keep  up  my  spirits,  and  the  unusual  noise  awoke 
Lewey. 

"  How  goes  it?  "  he  asked,  as  he  sat  up,  and  looked  around. 

"  Smoothly,"  I  answered,  but  the  lad  must  have  noticed  a  change  in  my 
voice,  for  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  came  toward  me. 


194  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Thorn,  mon  cher  ami,  you  has  been  tear  sheddin',"  he  said.  "You  deny 
it  not.  Unhappy  is  you." 

"  It  is  a  trifle,"  I  answered.  "  A  little  lonesome,  nothing  more,  old 
boy." 

"  You  lies  down,  and  much  sleep  take,"  the  generous-hearted  fellow  said. 
"  De  vatch  vill  I  keep  till  daylight.  You  is  tired,  and  the  night  has  been  a 
hard  von  for  you.  But,  oh,  vot  booful  times  ve  is  habin'.  Did  you  ebber 
seed  anyding  like  dem  ?  So  much  better  den  bein'  on  von  old  ship,  dat 
smell  of  tar  and  vater  bilge." 

"  Do  you  think  so,  Lewey  ?  " 

"  Do  I  dink  so  ?  Vy,  look  here,  ve  is  our  own  masters.  Ve  sees  de 
country.  Ve  meets  de  nice  adventures  all  de  time.  Von  girl  falls  in  love 
vid  you  today,  tomorrow  anuder  von  shins  up  to  me,  and  so  ve  goes  on,  and 
has  de  fun  all  to  ourselves.  Ah,  ve  is  habin'  much  good  times,  and  you 
don't  know  it.  Vy,  I  vould  n't  exchange  dis  life  for  anyding  dat  you  can 
dink  of.  Now  you  lie  down  and  sleep,  as  1  has  had  de  booful  nap,  and 
no  more  sighin',  'cos  ve  skall  come  out  on  top  alvays." 

He  words  inspired  and  made  me  forget  the  realities  of  my  position.  The 
tears  were  brushed  from  my  eyes,  and  the  stars  and  constellations  looked 
bright  and  hopeful  as  I  laid  my  head  on  a  saddle,  drew  a  couple  of  blankets 
over  my  shoulders,  and  the  last  thing  I  heard,  aside  from  the  hooting  owls 
and  the  yelps  of  the  coyotes,  was  the  stirring  hymn  of  the  Marseillaise,  as 
Lewey  hummed  it  in  his  native  tongue,  between  puffs  of  tobacco  smoke. 

I  slept  late.  When  I  awoke  the  horses  were  already  piquetted,  a  pot  of 
coffee  was  steaming  on  the  coals,  and  six  beautiful  trout  were  all  ready  for 
baking  in  the  hot  ashes.  My  friend  had  been  hard  at  work  since  daylight 
in  preparing  breakfast,  and  getting  ready  for  an  early  start.  He  pointed 
with  pride  to  the  fish,  and  said  that  he  was  a  natural-born  fisherman,  but 
a  child  could  have  taken  trout  from  that  stream,  there  were  so  many  of 
them  in  the  deep  hole  I  had  fished  the  night  before. 

"  Is  you  a1!  ri^ht  dis  nice  rnornin1?"  my  friend  asked,  as  I  got  up,  and 
packed  the  blankets,  preparatory  to  a  good  wash  in  the  clear  stream.  "  No 
more  nostalgic,  de  bad  homesickness." 

"  All  right  now,"  was  my  answer,  in  a  cheery  tone. 

"  Dat  is  bon.  Today  ve  vill  hab  a  booful  time  ridin'  ober  de  mountain, 
and  seein'  de  valley  and  de  country,  oh,  for  so  many  miles.  Ve  skall  be 
above  de  clouds  at  some  places,  and  can  vash  our  faces  in  de  dew  if  ve 
vants  to,  and  de  ladies  say  dat  is  nic?  for  de  complexion." 

And  so  the  lad  chatted  on,  with  the  idea  that  I  was  dispirited,  but  the 


Lewey  and  I.  195 


daylight  had  brought  renewed  hope  to  my  heart,  and  I  was  no  longer  un- 
happy. The  air  was  so  exhilarating  that  it  acted  on  the  nerves  like  a  stimu- 
lant or  a  glass  of  wine,  and  when  the  sun  showed  its  warm  and  cheerful 
face,  fresh  from  the  base  of  the  mountains,  I  \vould  not  have  exchanged 
places  with  the  whole  crew  of  the  old  ship,  captain  and  all. 

As  we  picked  the  bones  of  the  trout  and  pigeons  Lewey  related  to  me 
the  incidents  of  his  lonely  watch,  but  there  was  nothing  of  a  startling  na- 
ture to  tell.  Our  friend,  the  bear,  had  come  near  him  once,  and  then  gone 
away  as  soon  as  fresh  fuel  was  piled  on  the  flames,  and  once  or  twice  ven- 
turesome coyotes  had  stolen  near  the  mountain  lion,  and  licked  the  blood 
that  flowed  from  the  dead  brute's  wounds. 

We  had  just  finished  our  breakfast,  and  were  lighting  our  pipes,  when 
we  were  startled  to  see  a  cavalcade  of  horsemen  issue  from  the  canyon  on 
our  right,  and  head  in  our  direction.  There  were  ten  of  them,  well  mount- 
ed, and  all  armed  with  carbines  and  sabres.  They  looked  like  military  peo- 
ple, but  if  they  had  uniforms  on  they  were  concealed  by  bright-colored  se- 
rapes,  and  we  could  only  judge  of  the  strangers  by  their  sombreros,  and  gilt 
bands,  which  looked  like  those  we  had  seen  worn  by  the  Mexican  army  in 
California. 

The  horsemen  did  not  notice  us  for  the  first  few  minutes  after  leaving 
the  canyon,  and  were  only  awakened  to  our  presence  by  the  sudden  barking 
of  Jack.  Then  the  visitors  looked  up,  saw  that  two  young  men  were  sit- 
ting near  a  fire,  smoking,  and  very  much  surprised  to  see  strangers  in  that 
part  of  the  country,  and  we  nearly  choked  with  laughter  when  the  cavalcade 
turned,  as  if  on  a  pivot,  and  dashed  back  toward  the  mountain  gorge. 

The  strangers,  all  Mexicans,  as  we  could  see  by  their  faces,  supposed 
that  we  were  Indians  on  a  raid,  and  that  there  was  no  hope  for  those  who 
fell  into  their  hands,  so  a  rapid  flight  was  made  for  shelter,  where  a  good 
defence  could  be  undertaken  if  necessary. 

When  near  the  entrance  of  the  canyon  the  Mexicans  turned,  and  checked 
their  horses,  seeing  that  the  wild  Apaches  were  not  in  hot  pursuit,  as  they 
supposed.  This  <rave  us  a  chance  to  act,  and  Lewey  sprang  to  his  feet, 
waved  a  blanket,  and  yelled  at  the  top  of  his  voice, — 

"Ami^os,  ami^os,  senors." 

Still  the  Mexicans  did  not  put  <rreat  faith  in  the  protestation,  but  unslung 
their  carbines,  and  pointed  them  in  our  direction.  Even  this  act  of  daring 
did  not  frighten  us  as  much  as  it  mi'jht,  for  we  knew  a  greaser  could  not 
hit  a  mountain  with  one  of  the  £uns  he  carried,  as  they  were  made  for  show 
and  not  use  by  the  manufacturers.  But  we  did  fear  a  stray  ball  would 


196  Lewey  and  I. 


reach  one  of  our  horses,  so  peacefully  grazing,  and  that  was  something  to 
guard  against,  consequently,  when  the  Mexicans  assumed  a  beligerent  atti- 
tude, and  looked  fight,  both  of  us,  without  our  rifles,  showed  ourselves,  and 
renewed  the  shout  of,  — 

"  Amigos,  senors,  amigos." 

Then  one  horseman,  who  seemed  to  be  a  guide,  advanced  a  few  paces, 
and  said,  — 

"If  you  are  friends  come  toward  us  without  weapons.  If  you  attempt 
any  trick  we  will  shoot  you  down  like  dogs." 

We  thought  this  a  pretty  lively  threat,  considering  the  whole  party  were 
quaking  with  terror,  for  fear  of  their  lives,  and  that,  if  we  had  been  so  dis- 
posed, by  the  aid  of  our  rifles  we  could  have  driven  all  hands  through  the 
gorge,  pell-mell,  and  the  devil  take  the  hindmost,  for  they  would  have 
sniffed  Apaches  in  the  air,  and  that  was  enough  to  startle  a  whole  company 
of  soldiers,  make  them  break  ranks,  and  take  shelter  under  cover  of  the 
nearest  rocks. 

"  We  are  unarmed,"  we  responded.  "  Have  no  fear.  There  are  only 
two  of  us  and  a  dog,  and  the  latter  will  not  bite." 

"  A  Mexican  fears  nothing,"  the  spokesman  said,  a  little  proudly.  "  He 
dislikes  an  ambushed  foe,  but  can  contend  with  one  if  there  is  need  to  risk 
so  much.  Who  are  you,  and  what  do  you  here  in  this  lonely  place  ?" 

"  We  are  young  men  journeying  to  Los  Angeles,  and  enjoying  the  coun- 
try through  which  we  pass  There  are  no  Indians  near,  we  think,  so  you 
need  take  no  precautions.  Come  and  cook  your  breakfast  by  our  fire,  as 
we  shall  soon  start  over  the  trail." 

The  guide  returned,  and  reported  to  the  leader  of  the  troop,  and  at  last 
all  seemed  disposed  to  believe  our  assertion  that  we  were  not  warlike.  But 
they  approached  very  cautiously,  still  holding  their  carbines  in  their  hands, 
and  ready  to  use  them  if  we  raised  a  finger  to  some  hidden  foe.  When, 
however,  the  party  were  within  a  few  fathoms  of  us  we  recognized  several 
persons  we  had  known  while  .members  of  the  crew  of  the  Admittance,  and 
among  them  General  Michaeltoreno,  at  one  time  governor  of  the  State,  and 
the  person  in  whose  honor  an  elegant  fete  had  been  given  at  Monterey,  at 
which  Lewey  and  I  officiated  in  a  grand  act  of  legerdemain,  and  then  let  off 
a  most  wonderful  fiery  serpent,  that  astonished  all  who  beheld  it,  and  dis- 
gusted some. 

"  What  are  you  young  men  doing  here  ?  "  asked  the  general  a  little  stern- 
ly. "  The  country  is  at  war  with  the  United  States,  and  we  are  suspicious 
of  all  people  who  cannot  give  an  account  of  themselves." 


Lewey  and  I.  197 


"  Look  at  that  dead  mountain  lion,  senor,"  Lewey  said.  "  We  killed  him 
last  night  while  prowling  around  our  camp.  That  is  one  good  mark  in  our 
favor." 

All  the  party  seemed  to  think  so,  for  they  dismounted,  and  examined  the 
beast,  their  horses  refusing  to  approach  it. 

"  Well,  what  else  have  you  done  ?  "  demanded  the  general,  after  he  had 
satisfied  his  curiosity  about  the  lion. 

"  We  have  met  a  party  of  Apaches  on  the  trail,  and  killed  several  of  them 
near  Tobias's  ranche,"  my  French  friend  replied,  quite  proudly. 

"  What !  "  cried  every  one.  "  You  have  encountered  the  wild  Indians, 
and  slain  some  of  them?  You  speak  the  truth,  we  hope." 

"  A  Frenchman  never  lies,  senors,''  was  the  dignified  answer,  and  a  look 
such  as  a  great  general  put  on  at  one  time  when  asked  to  surrender  at  the 
battle  of  Waterloo. 

But  the  statement  seemed  so  remarkable  that  we  could  see  glances  of 
disbelief  on  the  faces  of  the  Mexicans.  That  two  young  men,  mere  boys, 
should  kill  Apache  warriors,  and  then  escape  their  vengeance,  was  to  be 
taken  cum  grano  salis,  the  effect  of  lively  imagination  and  not  reality. 

"  Why  do  you  seek  to  deceive  us  by  such  a  story  ?  "  the  general  asked. 
"  The  Apaches  are  cunning  Indians,  and  do  not  allow  muchachos  to  kill 
and  destroy  without  resistance." 

"The  savag  s  are  no  match  for  bold  men  with  rifles  in  their  hands. 
We  met  a  party,  and  destroyed  it,  and  you  will  learn  the  truth  when  you 
make  enquiries  at  the  ranche.  We  are  not  braggarts,  but  honest  lads,"  my 
friend  said,  in  such  a  confident  tone  that  the  Mexicans  began  to  think 
there  was  some  foundation  for  his  story. 

"  Why  are  you  traveling  through  the  State  in  these  troublesome  times  ?  " 
demanded  the  general.  "  You  may  be  American  spies  for  all  that  we  know 
to  the  contrary." 

"  We  are  on  our  way  to  the  Ranche  Refugio  to  be  married,"  Lewey  an- 
swered,, quite  promptly,  and  then  ever)'  Mexican  just  opened  his  mouth  to 
its  widest  extent,  and  laughed  so  heartily  that  we  were  indignant  at  their 
levity  over  so  serious  a  matter. 

"  Have  you  papers  granting  you  permission  to  travel  ?  "  the  general 
demanded. 

"Yes,  senor.  We  have  one  from  General  Castro,"  and  here  the  late 
governor's  face  darkened,  for  he  did  not  like  his  successor,  "and  also  a  pa- 
per from  the  alcalda  of  San  Diego,  recommending  us  to  the  good  wishes  of 
the  people  of  Los  Angeles.  In  addition  we  have  letters  from  Captain  Fitch 


198  Lewey  and  I. 


to  his  friends,  the  Senors  Temple  and  Stearns,  of  the  Pueblo,  so  you  see 
we  are  not  sospechosos,"  and  as  Lewey  spoke  he  produced  all  the  docu- 
ments from  the  bag  which  held  them. 

The  general  glanced  over  the  letters  and  recommendations  of  the  alcalda, 
and   uttered  a  snort  of  contempt  when  Castro's  pass  was  examined.     He 
handed  all  back  to  us,  and  then  asked,  — 
"  Why  did  you  leave  your  ship  ?  " 

"  We  were  attacked  by  the  smallpox,  and  compelled  to  remain  at  San 
Diego  for  fear  of  contagion  to  the  rest  of  the  people  on  board  the  vessel," 
Lewey  remarked. 

"  But  the  disease  did  not  leave  any  marks  on  your  face,"  the  general 
said. 

"  No,  senor,  the  saints  be  praised,  our  beauty  was  spared,"  and  Lewey 
uttered  the  words  as  though  he  believed  what  he  stated,  and  once  more  the 
Mexicans  roared  with  laughter  at  the  impudence  of  the  boy,  he  was  so  calm 
and  cool. 

During  all  this  time  I  had  permitted  my  friend  to  carry  on  the  conversa- 
tion as  he  spoke  better  Spanish  than  I  could,  and  showed  what  he  claimed 
to  be,  —  a  Frenchman,  —  while  I  was  fear  ul  the  Mexicans  would  recognize 
me  as  an  American  unless  I  held  my  tongue. 

"General,"  Lewey  said,  as  soon  as  the  laughter  had  subsided,  "  we  have 
met  you  many  times  in  Monterey,  and  yet  you  do  not  appear  to  recognize 
us.  When  you  first  took  the  office  of  governor  we  had  the  honor  of  giving 
a  performance  in  your  presence,  and  the  same  night  let  loose  a  fiery  ser- 
pent that  was  much  admired." 

The  ex-governor  and  his  friends  took  a  square  look  at  us,  and  then 
seemed  to  recognize  our  faces,  for  all  grinned,  as  the  general  remarked,  — 

"  Santa  Maria,  now  I  know  you.  What  a  fright  you  did  give  the  people 
of  the  town  that  night.  I  hope  your  captain  punished  you  as  you  deserved, 
for  the  joke  you  played  us.  Why,  you  bad  boys,  even  I  had  to  dodge  my 
head  to  escape  being  singed." 

"  And  I  tumbled  over  a  chair  and  nearly  broke  my  neck,"  one  of  the 
officers  said. 

But  the  information  we  had  imparted  did  not  cause  any  ill  feeling,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  all  the  group  were  seated  around  the  fire,  and  cooking  break- 
fast, the  materials  for  which  were  unloaded  from  a  pack-horse.  We  were 
invited  to  partake,  but  declined,  as  we  had  eaten  all  we  needed  before  the 
party  arrived. 

We  gave  the  general  all    the  information  we  were  able  about  the  route, 


Lewey  and  /.  199 


and  the  Indians,  and,  while  some  of  the  people  were  anxious  to  retrace 
their  steps  to  the  Pueblo,  others  were  in  favor  of  pushing  on  as  fast  as 
possible  for  San  Diego,  from  which  place  they  were  to  travel  overland  to 
the  Mexican  ports  of  the  Gulf  ot  California,  if  such  a  thing  was  practicable. 
They  had  heard  that  the  journey  over  the  desert  plains  was  one  of  great 
difficulty  and  danger,  with  but  few  residents,  and  those  mostly  degraded  In- 
dians cf  the  sand  hills  and  seashore,  with  scanty  stores  of  water,  inclined 
to  be  brackish.  But,  as  business  was  pressing,  the  attempt  must  be  made, 
no  Mexican  vessel  daring  to  sail  lor  Mazatland  for  fear  of  capture  by  shi^s 
of  the  United-States  Navy,  which  were  swarming  on  the  coast,  and  in  the 
Pacific,  ready  to  overhaul  any  craft  that  appeared  in  sight. 

Then  the  officers  gave  us  directions  how  to  pass  through  the  canyons  of 
the  mountains,  and,  with  mutual  congratulations,  we  saddled  our  horses, 
and  bade  each  other  farewell.  Whether  the  party  ever  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  Gulf  of  California  I  never  knew.  It  is  a  journey  I  should  not  care 
to  make  even  at  this  late  day,  for  the  danger  of  starvation  and  thirst 
is  too  great  to  be  undertaken  without  caches  of  water  and  provisions  at 
stated  intervals. 

As  we  entered  the  dark  and  cold  canyon  of  the  mountains  we  waved  our 
hands,  lifted  our  hats,  and  were  lost  to  view  of  each  other.  The  sun  did 
not  penetrate  the  deep  gorge,  and  on  either  side  of  us  arose  the  bare  and 
rugged  rocks,  with  living  rills  trickling  from  the  seams,  and  in  some 
places  beneath  us  were  running  streams,  which  we  had  no  doubt  contained 
trout,  or  other  fish,  for  they  were  deep  and  cool  enough  for  a  preserve. 
For  a  mile  or  more  we  did  not  see  an  animal,  so  we  expected  to  escape  all 
conflict  with  wild  beasts,  as  we  could  not  imagine  what  a  lion  or  bear  would 
find  to  eat  in  such  a  vast  and  sublime  solitude,  where  a  loud  word  reverber- 
ated from  arch  to  arch,  from  crag  to  crag,  and  gorge  to  gorge,  like  distant 
thunder,  and  then  rolled  hack  and  forth  until  the  cries  were  repeated  near 
our  heads,  just  as  we  had  recently  uttered  them,  sharp  and  distinct.  High 
over  us,  three  thousand  feet  at  least,  sailed  back  and  forth  several  huge  ea- 
gles, looking  for  a  breakfast  on  the  surface  of  the  snow  or  the  hard  rocks, 
ready  to  pounce  on  a  rabbit  o-  a  dead  coyote,  and  uttering  screams  of  rage 
as  a  switt-winged  hawk  darted  near  them,  and  then  sailed  away  with  a 
croak  of  delight  at  the  anger  of  the  kings  and  queens  of  the  air  and  moun- 
tains. A  few  green  lizards  clung  to  the  walls  of  rock,  or  on  the  trunks  of 
stunted  pines,  but  they  did  not  move  as  we  passed,  waiting  for  the  sun  to 
penetrate  the  canyon,  am!  vr.vm  them  into  life  and  activity. 

Some  places  we  found  \\   :c  so  steep,  and  the  trail  so  narrow,  we  had  to 


2OO  Lewey  and  /. 


dismount  and  lead  our  horses,  fearful  they  would  slip,  and  fall  into  the 
gorges  below.  The  mustangs  clung  to  the  walls,  but  showed  no  signs  of 
fear  as  long  as  we  walked  near  their  heads,  and  had  a  hand  on  their  bridles. 
It  was  the  most  wonderful  pass  that  I  ever  saw,  and  even  then  I  calculated 
how  a  few  men  could  hold  it  against  an  army  of  brave  soldiers,  for  a  num- 
ber of  stones  hurled  down  the  sides  of  the  mountain  would  have  created  a 
panic  and  rapid  retreat. 

Once  we  heard  a  movement  on  the  right  of  the  canyon,  and  a  rock  rolled 
into  the  stream  below.  We  stopped  to  see  what  had  caused  the  bowlder  to 
become  dislodged,  and  saw  an  immense  bear  perched  on  a  craig,  and  look- 
ing'at  us  with  wistful  eyes,  and  probably  mentally  calculating  how  many 
square  meals  we  could  furnish.  When  he  saw  that  our  attention  was  at- 
tracted he  picked  up  another  stone  and  sent  it  after  the  first  one,  and  opened 
his  capacious  mouth,  and  actually  grinned  at  the  fun  he  was  having,  for  the 
brute  looked  down  the  wall  Of  rock,  saw  the  missile  strike  the  water,  throw- 
ing the  spray  high  in  the  air,  and  then  glanced  at  us,  as  if  to  ask  approval 
of  the  sport.  We  shouted  back  our  applause,  and  the  brute  put  his  shaggy 
head  one  side,  and  listened  until  the  reverberations  died  away,  then  growled 
out  his  thanks  for  our  attention,  and  tried  another  stone.  We  were  tempted 
to  use  our  rifles  on  the  beast,  but  the  exhibition  he  had  afforded  us  was  too 
good  to  be  interrupted  by  a  useless  infliction  of  pain,  and  so  we  let  him 
alone.  When  we  turned  an  angle  of  the  canyon  the  bear  was  still  on  the 
spur  of  the  wall,  and  gazing  after  us  as  though  regretful  at  losing  such 
charming  spectators.  For  all  of  his  friendly  expressions  we  were  rather 
glad  that  he  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  trail,  and  could  not  dispute  our 
course  over  the  mountain. 

It  was  after  twelve  o'clock  when  we  emerged  from  the  canyon,  stood  on 
the  summit  of  the  mountain,  and  looked  at  the  landscape  beneath  us.  Far 
off  on  our  left  were  the  bright  blue  waters  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  ruffled  by 
the  strong  morning  breeze,  with  miniature  white  caps  all  along  the  shore, 
and  some  thirty  miles  distant  we  could  see  the  rough  island  of  Cataline, 
and  also  the  miserable  port  of  San  Pedro,  where  we  had  carried  many  a 
hide  on  our  heads  in  days  past,  toiling  up  the  steep  hill  with  heavy  boxes 
and  lumber,  and  cursing  the  men  who  compelled  us  to  do  such  hard  work 
for  six  dollars  a  month.  I  would  n't  do  it  now  for  two  hundred.  Almost 
at  our  feet  were  fine  level  lands,  green  with  the  spring  rains,  and  one  loca- 
tion particularly  pleased  me,  for  I  had  never  seen  a  more  beautiful  spot. 
As  near  as  I  can  understand  it,  the  place  that  I  thought  so  charming  is 
now  the  prosperous  little  town  of  Pasadena,  celebrated  for  its  fruits  and 


Lewey  and  /.  201 


flowers,  and  intelligent  inhabitants.  But  in  the  days  I  speak  of  not  a  house 
was  to  be  seen  on  the  mesa,  although  thousands  of  head  of  cattle  were 
roaming  over  the  plains,  fattening  on  the  rich  pasturage,  for  the  dry  season 
had  not  commenced,  and  everything  was  fresh  and  verdant,  not  withered 
and  seared  by  the  hot  sun.  Then  there  was  the  San  Gabriel  Valley,  which 
I  could  have  purchased  for  a  song  in  1846,  now  representing  millions  of 
money.  Some  few  miles  from  Los  Angeles  was  the  old  mission,  and  its 
adobe  walls,  many  years  old,  and  at  one  time  representing  eighty  thousand 
head  of  cattle.  Then  the  priests  were  a  power  in  the  land,  and  commanded 
the  services  of  thousands  of  peons,  for  their  food  and  a  shirt  a  year.  But 
the  Mexican  government  confiscated  the  property,  and  the  Indians  were 
dispersed,  and  the  bullocks  sold  by  some  rapacious  administrador,  who  fat- 
tened on  the  misfortunes  of  the  holy  fathers.  The  latter  damned  the  of- 
ficials, but  the  seizures  went  on  just  the  same,  for  the  Mexican  authorities 
said  that  if  they  could  get  the  money  they  would  risk  all  chances  in  the 
next  world.  We  shall  probably  never  know  who  got  the  best  of  the  matter 
unless  we  can  summon  spirits  to  testify  on  one  side  or  the  other,  or  wait 
for  death. 

The  scene  was  so  charming  that  Lewey  proposed  we  remain  where  we 
were  and  cook  our  dinner,  but  we  had  nothing  except  coffee  and  hard  tack 
to  eat.  There  was  plenty  of  sweet  grass  for  the  horses,  and  water  near  at 
hand,  with  a  trout  stream  close  by,  so  we  gladly  unsaddled  our  steeds,  piq- 
uetted  them  in  the  bright  sunshine,  and,  while  Lewey  started  a  fire,  and 
put  on  the  water  for  coffee,  I  took  the  fish-line,  and  went  in  search  of  trout 
in  a  brook  that  was  rolling  and  foaming  in  its  course  toward  the  San 
Gabriel  Valley. 

I  had  nothing  for  bait  but  a  little  piece  of  pigeon  wing,  and  this  was 
enough,  as  good  as  the  most  gaudy  fly,  for  the  simple  fish  jumped  at  it  with 
charming  frankness,  and  were  pulled  from  their  native  element  in  such  haste 
that  in  half  an  hour's  time  I  had  secured  eight  trout,  and  they  would  aver- 
age at  least  a  pound  each,  enough  for  two  hungry  young  men,  and  a  dog 
that  could  eat  more  than  both  of  us.  It  was  a  good  lunch,  and  a  glorious 
place  to  partake  of  it. 

We  put  the  fish  on  the  coals,  roasted  them  to  perfection,  and  then  sat  and 
ate  our  dinners,  and  admired  the  landscape  and  view  of  the  ocean.  For 
dessert  we  had  an  abundance  of  ripe  blackberries,  the  bushes  being  loaded 
down  with  them,  large  and  delicious  fruit,  and  we  did  not  stir  out  of  our 
tracks  to  obtain  all  that  we  wanted.  Even  Jack  seemed  to  like  them,  yet 
would  not  take  the  trouble  to  forage  for  himself,  on  account  of  the  briars 


2O2  Lewey  and  I. 


on  the  bushes,  but  waited  until  we  had  gathered  a  handful,  and  then  barked 
for  them  until  his  demands  were  complied  with. 

After  the  feast  of  berries,  we  lighted  our  pipes,  and  smoked,  again  ad- 
mired the  country,  and  then  the  enthusiastic  Lewey,  who  was  a  lover  of  na- 
ture, could  not  restrai.i  his  happiness,  as  he  thought  of  the  dangers  we  had 
passed  through,  and  that  now  all  was  plain  sailing  before  us. 

"  Veil,"  he  asked,  "  vot  does  you  dink  of  dis  \  No  more  sick  for  de  home 
sane  last  night  ?  Look  all  around  you.  Did  you  eber  see  anyding  like  it 
afore  ?  Ah,  how  happy  ve  should  be  dat  ve  is  here  and  not  on  board  a 
mean  old  ship.  I  could  smile  and  jump  in  de  air  I  feels  so  good,  in  a  few 
days  ve  skall  see  Anita  and  Engracia,  and  how  glad  dey  be  to  meet  us. 
Den  all  de  trouble  ve  forgets,  and  ve  lives  and  dies  in  a  pot  of  grease,  as  de 
story  books  all  say." 

1  suppose  that  it  was  the  air  which  inspired  us,  for  we  did  feel  happy  and 
contented,  although  we  had  not  the  least  idea  where  we  were  going  to  stop 
when  we  reached  the  Pueblo.  But  we  expected  something  would  turn  up, 
and  did  not  despond. 

Toward  two  o'clock  \ve  saddled  our  horses,  and  resumed  our  journey, 
Lping  through  the  valley,  past  herds  of  cattle,  and  once  in  a  while  saw  a 
vaquero,  who  was  looking  after  the  animals,  seeing  that  they  did  not  \\an- 
der  off  oo  far  from  the  usual  runs.  Those  we  met  did  not  pay  us  any  par- 
ticular attention,  but  when  we  drew  near  the  mission  of  San  Gabriel  we 
noticed  that  some  stro  g  glances  were  cast  toward  us,  and  we  thought  the 
people  \vere  struck  by  our  distinguished  appearance,  and  were  disposed  to 
give  us  a  hospitable  welcome  after  our  long  and  dangerous  journey  over  the 
mountains. 

As  we  neared  Los  Angeles-  two  horsemen,  evidently  caballeros,  rode 
alongside  of  us,  and  looked  our  mustangs  all  over,  as  if  admiring  them,  as 
well  they  might,  for  they  were  unexcelled  for  speed  and  beauty. 

"  Where  do  you  come  from,  strangers  ?  "  they  asked. 

"  San  Diego,  senors,"  was  our  reply. 

"  Did  you  meet  many  people  on  the  road  ?  "  they  demanded. 

"  Yes  ;  this  morning  we  encountered  General  Michaeltoreno  and  his  suite, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  mountains." 

"Who  else,  senors?"  the  caballeros  demanded. 

"  Several  bands  of  Apaches,  who  were  raiding  the  country,  and  stealing 
cattle." 

"  Santa  Maria,  and  you  escaped  from  them  ?"  and  here  the  gentlemen 
crossed  themselves. 


Lewey  and  I.  203 


"  Yes,  senors,  but  we  had  to  fight  them,  or  be  killed,"  for  we  thought  it 
would  not  be  a  sin  to  boast  a  little,  now  that  we  were  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  savages. 

"Did  you  meet  the  government  courier  Pedro  on  the  way?"  was  the 
next  question. 

"Yes,  senors.  We  saw  him  at  Tobias's  ranche,  and  he  was  well,  and 
hoped  to  get  through  the  raiding  parties,  but  who  can  tell  his  fate  ?  " 

"  We  see  that  one  of  you  is  mounted  on  his  favorite  horse.  How  did  you 
happen  to  possess  it  ?  " 

"  By  a  trade  and  purchase,  senors,"  we  answered. 

The  gentlemen  exchanged  glances,  but  said  no  more,  and  just  then  we 
thought  that  we  would  ask  a  few  questions  in  return. 

"  Can  you  tell  us,  senors,  where  we  can  find  the  Senor  Abel  Stearns's 
residence  ?  We  have  a  letter  for  him  from  a  gentleman  of  San  Diego,"  we 
said. 

"  Certainly,"  was  the  gracious  reply,  and  we  galloped  along  the  main 
street,  hundreds  of  people  looking  at  us  as  we  moved  along,  as  the  cavalcade 
seemed  unusual. 

At  last  we  halted  in  front  of  a  pretentious  house,  and  saw  a  gentleman  on 
the  veranda,  smoking  cigarettes,  and  several  ladies  near.  We  knew  him  at 
once,  and  also  two  of  the  young  senoras,  for  they  had  been  on  board  of  the 
Admittance  several  times  while  we  were  lying  at  San  Pedro,  at  different 
periods. 

We  thanked  the  caballeros,  and  they  galloped  off,  after  touching  their 
broad  sombreros  to  the  ladies,  and  making  their  horses  perform  wonderful 
capering  for  the  benefit  of  the  fair  sex. 

I  dismounted  and  approached  the  gentleman.  He  looked  at  me  with 
some  degree  of  wonderment,  for  he  did  not  recollect  my  face,  and  neither 
did  the  young  ladies. 

"  I  have  a  letter  for  you,  sir,"  I  said,  as  I  removed  my  hat,  and  bowed  to 
the  young  ladies. 

I  spoke  in  English,  and  that  seemed  to  astonish  my  hearers,  for  I  was 
dressed  in  Mexican  costume,  and  burned  black  enough  for  a  greaser,  or 
half-breed. 

"  Why,  man  alive,  you  are  an  American,"  said  Mr.  Stearns,  stili  staring 
at  me.  "  Where  did  you  come  from  ? " 

"  Overland  from  San  Diego,  sir.  We  have  just  arrived,  and  want  you  to 
direct  us  to  a  place  where  we  can  remain  for  a  few  days'  rest.  We  have 


204  Lewey  and  /. 


had  a  rough  journey,  and  feel  tired,  for  we  have  fought  Apaches,  mountain 
lions,  and  bears,  and  think  we  deserve  a  few  days  of  leisure." 

"  The  devil,  I  should  think  so,"  was  the  frank  exclamation,  and  then  he 
turned  to  the  ladies,  and  explained  in  Spanish  what  I  had  related.  The 
story  seemed  to  excite  general  interest,  for  the  women  all  uttered  the 
words,  — 

"  Pobrecita  muchachos,"  and  crossed  themselves  at  the  name  of  the 
Apaches. 

Mr.  Stearns  read  the  letter  from  Captain  Fitch,  and  then  looked  at  us, 
more  puzzled  than  ever,  as  he  said,  — 

"  So  you  two  young  men  were  on  board  the  Admittance,  were  you  ?  I 
recollect  you  now.  But  what  fools  you  are  to  stop  in  this  country  just  as  a 
war  is  raging,  and  every  American  is  hated,  except  the  old  residents.  And 
you  think  of  getting  married,  my  friend  writes  me.  Well,  well,  this  is  a 
little  too  rich,  upon  my  word,"  and  the  gentleman  laughed  until  the  tears 
came  into  his  eyes,  and  then  very  correctly  translated  my  story,  and  the 
contents  of  the  letter. 

But  the  ladies  did  not  laugh.  They  thought  it  was  a  little  too  romantic 
for  anything,  as  they  expressed  it  in  a  terse  way,  and  warm  words  of  ap- 
proval of  our  course  were  uttered.  A  woman  always  sympathizes  with  par- 
ties about  to  wed,  and  the  poorer  the  match  the  more  congratulations  they 
bestow.  So  as  soon  as  the  young  women  heard  that  we  were  in  love,  and 
wanted  wives,  their  hearts  were  in  a  flutter. 

"  Let  them  remain  with  us,"  they  cried  with  one  accord.  "  We  will  teach 
them  Spanish  so  that  they  can  converse  with  their  future  mates.  It  must 
be  awful  not  to  understand  what  a  lover  says." 

I  did  not  utter  a  word  of  the  tongue  they  were  conversing  in,  not  wishing 
to  break  the  spell  of  a  good  impression. 

"  Well,  have  it  your  way,"  the  gentleman  said.  "  They  are  not  our  kind 
of  company,  but  we  will  take  care  of  them  in  some  manner,  and  give  them 
enough  to  eat." 

Then  he  called  a  peon  to  take  our  horses,  and,  as  we  removed  our  pack- 
ages to  the  rear  of  the  house,  I  looked  down  the  street,  and  saw  the  dark 
face  of  Don  Antonio  Sanchos,  our  worst  enemy  in  all  California,  and  the 
last  person  we  desired  to  see  at  that  time,  as  we  supposed  he  was  in  Mon- 
terey, and  could  no  longer  trouble  us. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DON  ANTONIO  SANCHOS  MAKES  IT  UNPLEASANT,  AND  ACCUSES  US  OF 
MURDERING  THE  GOVERNMENT  COURIER.  —  TO  THE  CALABOZO.  —  AN 
EXAMINATION,  AND  SURPRISE.  —  HEROES  OF  THE  DAY. — WANTED  FOR 
THE  ARMY.  —  OFF  FOR  SANTA  BARBARA,  AND  INCIDENTS  ON  THE 
WAY.  —  THE  CAVALRY,  AND  ITS  HURRIED  MARCH.  —  SANTA  BARBARA, 
AND  SOME  OLD  ACQUAINTANCES.  —  RANCHE  REFUGIO,  AND  OUR  RECEP- 
TION BY  A  STRONG-MINDED  WOMAN. 

I  MUST  confess  that  I  did  not  feel  comfortable  when  I  saw  the  dark,  re- 
vengeful-looking face  of  Don  Antonio  Sanchos,  the  man  who  had  per- 
secuted us  so  intensely  at  San  Diego,  and  by  whose  orders  we  had  been 
confined  in  the  calabozo,  and  forced  to  sign  matriculador  papers,  and  de- 
clare our  intention  of  becoming  Mexican  citizens.  We  thought  the  greaser 
was  at  Monterey,  with  his  disreputable  brothers  and  followers,  where  we 
had  understood  there  was  some  prospect  of  a  fight  between  the  State  forces 
and  the  command  under  Fremont.  But  the  scoundrel  was  at  Los  Angeles, 
and  saw  us  at  the  same  time  we  noticed  him.  We  would  have  avoided  the 
man  if  possible,  but  it  was  too  late,  so  were  not  surprised  when  the  fellow 
halted  in  front  of  Mr.  Steam's  house,  and  addressed  the  proprietor. 

"  Senor,"  he  said,  "  two  young  men,  one  of  them  French  and  the  other 
American,  have  just  arrived  in  town  from  San  Diego,  and  are  on  your 
premises." 

"  Well,  what  of  it  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Stearns,  with  scant  civility,  for  he  did  not 
appear  to  be  on  the  most  familiar  terms  with  the  visitor. 

"  Simply  this,  senor.  I  want  those  young  men  as  my  prisoners.  I  claim 
them  under  the  law  of  California  as  sospechosos,  as  enemies  of  the  repub- 
lic," the  greaser  remarked,  and  there  was  a  wail  from  the  ladies  at  the 


206  Lewey  and  I. 


words,  as  they  thought  of  a  wedding  being  postponed,  and  happiness  de- 
stroyed. 

"  Nonsense,"  was  the  reply  of  our  host.  "The  boys  are  all  right,  and  I 
will  vouch  for  them.  I  have  known  them  for  years,  and  they  never  had  the 
slightest  intention  of  injuring  the  republic.  Go  your  way,  Don  Sanchos, 
and  let  them  alone." 

"The  senor  is  not  aware  perhaps  that  I  am  the  agent  of  the  government, 
and  have  the  power  of  making  arrests  when  I  will  ? "  the  Mexican 
asked. 

"  Yes,  I  know  all  that,  but  don't  abuse  those  powers,  Don  Sanchos,  for 
the  same  party  that  made  can  quickly  unmake  you,  and  I  have  a  little  in- 
fluenc'e  at  Monterey  with  the  governor  and  Don  Pio  Pico,"  Mr.  Stearns 
remarked. 

"  I  know  the  senor  is  powerful,  and  that  his  wealth  is  great,  but  all  that 
will  not  prevail  when  it  is  known  that  I,  the  representative  of  the  State, 
have  been  ill-treated  by  the  muchachos,  imprisoned  by  their  means,  shot  at 
and  wounded  by  a  gun  which  they  fired  at  me,  and  that  my  brother  Carlos 
had  his  head  split  open  by  the  desperados.  Think  of  the  wrongs  I  have 
suffered,  and  then  imagine  if  I  can  forgive  them." 

"How  is  this?"  asked  our  host,  and  the  ladies  looked  at  us  in  wonder, 
thinking  that  we  were  a  little  worse  than  the  wild  Apaches  they  had  heard 
so  much  about,  while  at  the  same  time  they  were  disposed  to  admire  us  for 
all  that  we  had  done,  as  women  like  bold  deeds,  even  if  they  are  not  quite 
high-toned  and  honorable. 

As  Mr.  Stearns  seemed  disposed  to  demand  an  explanation,  Lewey,  as 
the  most  fluent  talker,  stepped  forward,  removed  his  hat,  bowed  with 
French  politeness  to  the  ladies,  smiled  one  of  his  most  fascinating  smiles, 
such  as  he  knew  would  touch  the  female  heart,  and  commenced  the  story  of 
our  wrongs  at  the  hands  of  Don  Sanchos,  and  in  good  Spanish,  so  that  all 
could  comprehend  what  he  said. 

"  We  were  in  love,"  he  began,  and  at  the  words  the  ladies  beamed  on 
him,  "  and  when  we  were  discharged  from  our  ship,  sick  with  a  disease  that 
we  feared  would  terminate  our  young  and  innocent  lives  "  (Lewey  was  an  aw- 
ful falsifier  when  disposed  to  shirk  the  truth,  and  had  an  object  in  view), 
"  our  only  regret  was  that  we  could  not  live,  and  marry  the  two  girls  we 
had  become  attached  to  at  Ranche  Refugio." 

Here  two  pretty  girls  sobbed,  and  wiped  the  tears  from  their  eyes.  The 
romance  was  affecting  them. 

"  But  the  good  saints,  under  whose  watchful  care  we  recovered,"  and 


Lewey  and  I.  207 


here  the  lad  crossed  himself  in  true  Catholic  style,  "  willed  that  our  time 
had  not  arrived,  and  so  we  lived,  and  were  happy  in  thoughts  of  the  future, 
—  how  we  were  to  pass  our  lives  as  devoted  husbands,  and  in  a  land  that 
can  show  more  beautiful  ladies  than  any  quarter  of  the  globe.  Even 
France,  my  native  country,  must  yield  the  palm  to  California  in  that  re- 
spect, and  my  American  friend  here,  Thorn,  says  that  the  United  States  has 
no  such  handsome  girls  as  this  portion  of  the  republic  of  Mexico  can 
produce." 

The  young  ladies'  faces  glowed  like  a  garden  of  roses  after  a  summer 
rain,  and  Lewey  glanced  at  me  in  a  manner  that  I  understood,  for  I  nodded 
an  acquiescence  to  all  that  he  had  stated. 

The  elderly  women  smiled  as  they  thought  of  their  early  days,  and  the 
beauty  which  they  had  possessed,  and  was  now  represented  in  their  chil- 
dren. They  looked  at  each  other,  and  seemed  to  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  we  were  young  men  of  discernment  and  good  taste. 

"  Under  such  circumstances  it  is  no  wonder  we  desired  to  remain  here," 
my  friend  continued,  "  but,  while  we  were  making  preparations  to  join 
those  whom  we  so  dearly  love,  this  man,  Don  Sanchos,  appeared  at  San 
Diego,  and  caused  our  arrest  as  sospechosos." 

"  I  was  serving  the  State,"  interrupted  the  greaser.  "  It  was  my 
duty." 

"  He  did  this,"  continued  Lewey,  not  noticing  the  remark,  "  because  at 
one  time  we  had  injured  him  for  insulting  two  ladies  at  San  Francisco." 

"  Muy  bravo  muchachos,"  murmured  the  girls,  and  glanced  at  us  with 
flashing  eyes,  showing  where  their  sympathies  were. 

Don  Sanchos  held  up  his  right  hand,  where  the  vivid  scar  was  distinctly 
seen,  made  by  the  point  of  a  boat-hook,  as  he  said,  — 

"  This  is  the  kind  of  treatment  that  I  received  at  the  hands  of  the  grin- 
gos, and  for  nothing.  I  have  cause  to  remember  it,  and  always  shall." 

"  This  man  caused  our  imprisonment  in  the  calabozo,  but  we  made  our 
escape,"  Lewey  remarked. 

"By  professing  love  for  the  jailor's  daughter,  and  swearing  to  her  undy- 
ing devotion,"  snarled  Sanchos, 

The  ladies  looked  a  little  shocked,  as  though  they  had  never  heard  of 
such  depravity.  The  case  was  going  against  us,  and  Lewey  saw  it,  but  was 
not  in  the  least  dismayed.  He  remained  cool,  and  was  careful  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  all  the  best  points. 

"We  confided  in  the  keeper's  daughter,  and  told  her  that  we  were  to  be 
married,  that  our  hearts  were  true  to  those  we  loved,  but  scorned  to  tell  a 


208  Lewey  and  I, 


woman  that  we  fancied  her  when  such  was  not  the  case,"  my  friend  went 
on,  and  Sanchos  smiled  in  an  incredulous  manner,  just  as  though  he  could 
not  believe  it.  "  The  young  lady  did  not  let  us  out  of  our  cell,  but  when  we 
were  in  the  ante-room  escape  was  possible." 

My  friend  was  determined  to  shield  the  girl,  even  at  the  expense  of  truth, 
for  he  feared  she  might  suffer  for  what  she  had  done  in  our  behalf. 

"  And  before  the  ladrones  escaped  they  bound,  gagged,  and  threw  me  in 
the  cell  which  they  had  occupied.  Besides  that  their  confounded  dog  bit 
my  legs,"  snarled  Sanchos,  and  the  ladies  did  not  seem  to  feel  much  pity 
for  his  misfortunes.  In  fact,  the  man  commenced  stripping  up  the  bottoms 
of  his  slashed  trousers  to  show  where  Jack  had  fastened  his  teeth,  but  sud- 
denly recollected  that  the  ladies  would  not  be  interested  in  old  scars,  so 
wisely  refrained. 

"  Boys,  that  was  wrong,"  Mr.  Stearns  said,  but  he  looked  as  though  he 
did  not  grieve  very  deeply  for  the  part  we  had  played.  "  The  senor  is  an 
agent  of  the  government,  and  should  have  been  treated  with  respect.  How- 
ever, that  is  all  settled  now,  I  hope.  I  will  be  security  for  the  young  men's 
appearance  and  good  behaviour  as  long  as  they  remain  at  Los  Angeles." 

We  bowed  our  thanks,  and  looked  our  gratitude. 

"By  the  way,"  Mr.  Stearns  asked,  "did  n't  I  hear  something  about  one 
of  you  lads  being  offered  a  commission  as  midshipman  on  the  sloop-of-war 
Ceynne  ?  " 

"  It  was  my  friend,  Thorn,  sir,"  answered  Lewey,  before  I  could  deny  the 
report,  "  He  is  rich,  and  has  lots  of  money,  but  loves  California  more  than 
his  home." 

Lewey  was  the  most  wonderful  boy  I  ever  met  for  ready  answers,  and 
some  of  them  were  not  always  true,  I  regret  to  say.  But  he  never  blushed 
when  telling  an  untruth,  as  he  looked  honest  and  confiding,  with  the  light 
of  sincerity  shining  from  his  blue  eyes. 

The  ladies  were  delighted  with  the  answer.  In  their  estimation  I  was  no 
longer  a  common  sailor,  but  a  caballero,  a  gentleman  of  means,  and  their 
interest  in  me  increased,  although  they  might  have  had  some  secret 
thoughts  that  I  was  throwing  myself  away  on  a  poor  girl  when  there  were 
so  many  rich  ones  who  desired  husbands,  and  wealth  at  the  same  time. 

"Now,  Don  Sanchos,  go  your  way,"  Mr.  Stearns  said.  "  I  will  see  that 
these  two  young  men  are  looked  after,  and  taken  care  of.  Let  us  have  no 
more  trouble.  They  have  come  to  me  highly  recommended,  and  I  under- 
stand that  they  also  have  a  letter  for  Mr.  Temple  from  my  old  friend  Cap- 
tain Fitch." 


Lewey  and  /.  209 


But  Don  Sanchos  did  not  seem  disposed  to  move  off  with  this  assurance. 
He  smiled  in  a  sardonic  manner,  as  he  rubbed  his  maimed  hand,  and 
said,  — 

"  Your  assertions  are  quite  cheerful,  and  would  be  satisfactory,  but  as 
the  agent  of  the  government  I  have  a  more  serious  charge  to  make  against 
the  young  men,  and  even  you,  senor,  will  not  uphold  them  in  what  they  have 
done." 

We  wondered  what  the  greaser  referred  to,  and  on  what  track  he  was 
standing. 

"  Come,  come,  don't  let  us  have  any  more  charges,"  Mr.  Stearns  cried. 
"  We  have  heard  enough  for  one  day  at  least,"  and  the  ladies  all  smiled  an 
unanimous  amen  to  the  words. 

"  I  regret,  senor,  that  I  cannot  yield  to  your  wishes,"  Sanchos  said,  and 
as  he  spoke  waved  his  hand  in  a  peculiar  manner,  and  up  the  street  we 
saw  a  dozen  horsemen  moving,  and  in  the  crowd  we  recognized  Carlos  San- 
chos, almost  as  great  a  scoundrel  as  his  brother. 

Mr.  Stearns  looked  the  astonishment  he  felt. 

"  I  arrest  these  young  men,"  the  greaser  said,  as  he  stepped  forward, 
"  for  the  crime  of  murder." 

There  was  an  exclamation  of  horror  from  the  ladies,  and  wonder  and  sur- 
prise from  us.  What  did  the  fellow  mean  ?  Was  this  some  new  dodge  to 
get  us  in  his  power,  and  punish  us  ? 

"  Explain  yourself,  senor,"  Mr.  Stearns  cried.  "  These  are  serious  words. 
Be  careful  how  you  trifle  with  them." 

"  This  is  no  light  matter,  senor,"  the  greaser  remarked,  in  a  cool,  deter- 
mined way.  "  One  of  these  young  men  has  in  his  possession  the  favorite 
horse  of  Pedro  the  courier.  He  was  due  here  yesterday,  yet  no  word  have 
we  heard  of  him.  It  is  rumored  in  town  that  the  ranchero  has  been  mur- 
dered on  his  way  from  San  Diego,  and  that  these  boys  committed  the  deed, 
and  then  took  possession  of  the  horse.  Look  at  the  brands  on  the  animal's 
haunches,  and  you  will  see  that  they  are  Pedro's.  There  is  no  doubt  of  it. 
A  dozen  men  can  swear  to  them.  They  know  the  caballo  well.  Now  what  mo- 
tive could  these  men  have  for  making  way  with  the  courier  except  to  steal 
his  despatches,  and  give  them  to  the  enemies  of  the  government?  There- 
fore, in  the  name  of  the  law,  and  by  the  power  invested  in  me  as  an  agent 
of  the  State  of  California,  I  do  arrest  these  young  men  as  sospechosos." 

There  was  a  flood  of  tears  from  the  young  ladies,  and  an  angry  denial  on 
our  part  and  when  there  was  silence  Mr.  Stearns  said,  — 

"  Explain  this  whole  matter,  boys,  so  that  we  can  understand  it." 


210  Lewey  and  I. 


I  did  so,  but  spoke  in  English,  as  my  Spanish  failed  me  in  my  eagerness 
to  show  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case. 

"  When  we  were  at  Tobias's  ranche,"  I  said,  "  after  we  had  killed  three 
invading  Apaches  "  (here  Sanchos  smiled,  as  much  as  to  say  that  was  a 
gringo's  lie,  for  he  understood  a  little  English)  "the  courier  arrived  with 
despatches  for  the  alcalda  of  San  Diego.  He  was  pleaded  with  our  bravery, 
and  commended  us  in  warm  terms,  and,  because  I  admired  his  horse,  he 
was  glad  to  make  an  exchange  with  me,  I  paying  him  eight  reals  in  addi- 
tion for  the  animal.  Senor  Tobias,  the  owner  of  the  ranche,  for  the  grati- 
tude he  felt  because  we  had  saved  the  life  of  his  daughter,  made  my  friend 
Lewey  a  present  of  the  caballo  he  rode.  You  can  see  the  man's  brand,  a 
large  T  in  a  circle.  This  is  our  defence,  and  is  the  truth,  so  help  me 
God." 

"I.  believe  you,"  Mr.  Stearns  said,  in  all  sincerity,  and  then  he  related 
the  story  T  had  told  to  Sanchos  and  the  ladies,  and  the  generous  females 
were  delighted  when  he  came  to  that  part  whereby  a  girl  was  saved  from 
the  Indians. 

"  It  is  the  lie  of  a  gringo,"  the  greaser  remarked.  "  It  will  not  do  for 
me.  The  young  men  stand  charged  with  murder.  Until  they  can  prove 
that  Pedro  is  alive  they  must  be  kept  in  prison.  Let  no  man  keep  in  my 
way,  or  the  worse  for  him.  In  the  name  of  the  law  I  arrest  them." 

The  ladies  uttered  a  series  of  shrill  screams,  but  after  they  had  been  si- 
lenced Mr.  Stearns  asked,  — 

"  Will  you  accept  security  for  the  appearance  of  the  young  men  tomor- 
row before  the  alcalda  ?  " 

"  No,  senor.'  To  the  calabozo  they  must  go.,  and  await  certain  events," 
was  the  answer. 

"  You  see,  boys,  I  have  done  all  that  I  can  for  you,"  our  host  said. 
"  The  man  has  the  power  to  arrest  you.  The  charge  is  a  serious  one,  but  I 
hope  it  will  be  disproved.  I  will  be  present  before  the  court  tomorrow, 
and,  in  company  with  Mr.  Temple,  do  what  I  can  to  confound  your  ene- 
mies. Yield  as  gracefully  as  possible,  and  look  for  the  best  results.  Be 
assured  you  sha'n't  starve  while  in  prison." 

<;  Will  you  permit  us  to  leave  our  property  here  until  we  are  acquitted  or 
sentenced  ? "  I  asked.  "  Our  rifles,  knives,  and  pistols,  horses  and  blan- 
kets are  valuable,  and  we  should  find  it  hard  work  to  replace  them." 

"  Give  yourself  no  uneasiness  on  that  point,"  our  host  said.  "  I  will  see 
that  all  are  taken  care  of,  and  restored  to  you  as  soon  as  free,  which  I  hope 
vill  be  in  a  few  days." 


Lewey  and  I.  211 


"And  our  dog,  sir,"  I  remarked.  "  It  is  not  probable  that  the  prison  of- 
ficials will  permit  him  to  go  with  us.  Will  you  also  feed  him  as  well  as  the 
horses?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  but  the  animal  will  not  remain  with  me." 

"  He  will  if  we  command  him  to  do  so.  He  is  a  knowing  dog,  and  is  al- 
ready aware  that  soni;  misfortune  has  overtaken  us.  You  can  tell  that  by 
his  looks.  Jack,  old  boy,"  I  said,  addressing  the  animal,  "  you  must  remain 
here  until  we  return.  Do  you  hear  ?  " 

He  did  hear,  but  a  look  of  deep  dejection  passed  over  his  expressive  eyes, 
and  he  seemed  to  ask  that  we  would  rescind  the  order.  But  when  he  found 
that  it  was  not  forthcoming  he  lay  down,  and  did  not  offer  to  stir  until  we 
moved  from  the  house,  escorted  by  the  bodyguard  of  the  agent  of  the 
State.  Then  he  raised  his  head,  and  uttered  a  prolonged  howl,  but  sub- 
sided when  one  of  the  ladies  patted  his  head,  and  waved  a  farewell  at  the 
same  time. 

Our  passage  through  the  main  street  was  quite  an  event  for  the  sleepy 
little  town.  All  the  people  had  awakened  from  their  usual  afternoon  sies- 
tas, and  were  refreshing  themselves  by  yawning  at  the  doors  and  on  the 
verandas.  The  crime  of  which  we  were  accused  was  repeated  from  mouth 
to  mouth,  and,  as  all  had  not  heard  our  defence,  we  were  generally  sup- 
posed to  be  guilty,  and  there  was  some  talk  of  hanging  or  shooting  us  with- 
out delay ;  and  I  really  believe  that  Don  Sanchos  would  have  been  only 
too  delighted  had  such  action  occurred  on  the  part  of  the  populace,  the 
majority  of  whom  were  none  too  good  for  such  lawlessness,  but  the  best 
people  were  just. 

However,  when  we  were  half  way  to  the  calabozo,  Messrs.  Stearns  and 
Temple  appeared  on  the  scene,  and  their  presence  seemed  to  have  a  bene- 
ficial effect  on  our  fortunes,  for  the  people  kept  at  a  distance,  while  the 
better-disposed  women  said  that  we  were  "  pobrecitas,"  and  hoped  the 
saints  would  pardon  us. 

1  wonder  if  that  old  calabozo  is  still  in  existence  in  Los  Angeles  ?  Prob- 
ably the  march  of  improvement  lias  been  the  means  of  erecting  a  stately 
stone  prison  instead  of  an  adobe  one,  where  refractory  Indians  were  con- 
fined, and  foreigners  were  locked  up  after  an  extensive  acquaintance  with 
native  rum,  or  aguardiente. 

My  friend  Lewey  told  me,  the  last  time  I  saw  him  at  Cherbourg,  some 
years  ago,  that  he  visited  Los  Angeles  in  1854,  his  ship  anchoring  at  San 
Pedro,  and  that  he  saw  the  same  place  in  which  we  were  confined,  and  en> 
tered  the  room  where  we  were  kept  as  prisoners,  and  that  all  remained  as 


212  Lewey  and  I. 


of  old,  but  no  one  would  believe  that  the  polite  naval  officer  had  ever  been 
under  lock  and  key  in  the  Pueblo,  even  Messrs.  Stearns  and  Temple  re- 
fusing to  recognize  the  captain  as  the  poor  boy  who  had  claimed  their  pro- 
tection some  years  before,  and  he  had  to  mention  many  particulars  of  cer- 
tain transactions  before  he  was  credited  with  being  one  and  the  same 
person. 

We  were  escorted  to  the  calabozo  with  as  much  ceremony  as  was  con- 
sistent with  men  who  would  like  to  have  sold  us  our  freedom  for  a  small 
sum,  provided  Don  Sanchos  was  willing.  But,  as  he  cared  more  for  ven- 
geance than  money  just  at  that  time,  his  gang  did  not  dare  to  make  any  op- 
position to  his  wishes. 

Luckily  for  us  there  was  no  inmates  of  the  prison  at  the  time,  so  we  had 
all  the  fleas  and  odors  to  ourselves,  and,  after  the  keeper  had  turned  the 
key  on  us,  and  then  went  home  to  get  his  supper,  we  had  an  opportunity  to 
do  a  little  talking  and  consulting.  Lewey's  confidence  never  left  him.  He 
was  as  jaunty  and  self-possessed  as  a  man  who  could  command  instant  lib- 
eration in  case  he  desired  it.  I  think  that  much  of  the  e*lan  was  put  on  for  the 
sake  of  making  me  feel  more  comfortable  and  at  ease. 

We  were  about  to  light  our  pipes,  and  have  a  quiet  smoke,  when  the 
keeper  of  the  prison  returned  to  us  in  hot  haste,  and  brought  some  food, 
coffee,  and  fruit,  and  said  that  we  were  to  be  made  comfortable  regardless 
of  expense,  and  forthwith  he  produced  half  a  dozen  blankets,  a  light,  and 
blocks  of  wood  for  pillows,  and  when  we  inquired  who  had  been  so  kind,  he 
grinned,  and  showed  us  a  Mexican  dollar,  which  proved  that  some  one  had 
bribed  him  to  look  after  our  welfare.  We  had  no  doubt  but  that  Mr. 
Stearns  and  his  family  were  acting  with  energy  in  our  behalf,  and  did  not 
intend  that  we  should  starve  or  suffer  if  they  could  prevent  it. 

We  talked  of  our  situation,  and  confessed  that  it  was  net  a  comfortable 
one  in  case  Pedro  did  not  turn  up,  or  was  found  murdered  on  the  trail,  and 
then  fell  asleep,  and  dreamed  of  the  Admittance,  surf,  hide-droghin^, 
and  handsome  women,  and  when  we  awoke  the  jailor  brought  us  a  cala- 
bash of  fresh  water  for  our  toilets,  and  then  followed  a  nice  breakfast,  sent 
from  the  house  of  our  friends. 

By  eleven  o'clock  Don  Sanchos  came  to  the  calabozo  to  escort  us  to  the 
presence  of  the  alcalda,  and  when  we  were  arraigned  in  the  hall  of  justice  a 
crowd  of  men  and  women  were  there  to  gaze  on  us,  and  speculate  on  the 
crime  we  had  committed. 

Among  the  spectators  were  the  handsome  ladies  we  had  seen  the  day  be- 
fore, and  each  of  them  gave  us  a  smile,  while  Messrs.  Stearns  and  Temple 


Lewey  and  I.  213 


came  to  us,  and  exchanged  a  rew  words  of  greeting.  They  said  that  they 
intended  to  ask  for  a  continuation  of  the  case  until  another  day,  in  hope 
that  something  would  turn  up  regarding  the  welfare  of  Pedro. 

As  soon  as  the  alcalda  had  taken  his  seat,  a  lawyer,  who  seemed  to  act 
for  the  government,  stated  the  case  in  very  clear  terms,  related  the  enormi- 
ty of  the  crime,  and  then  Mr.  Temple  put  in  a  few  words  in  our  behalf. 
He  had  known  us,  he  said,  as  honest,  hard-working  boys,  and  ridiculed  the 
idea  that  we  would  commit  murder.  One  of  us  was  an  American  citizen, 
and  the  other  a  native  of  France,  different  from  the  usual  run  ot  sailors  on 
the  coast,  left  without  a  ship  to  call  their  home. 

At  this  point  Don  Antonio  Sanchos  whispered  a  few  words  to  the  attor- 
ney for  the  government,  and  the  latter  said,  — 

"  These  young  men  are  no  longer  citizens  of  France  and  the  perfidious 
United  States.  They  are  subjects  of  Mexico,  for  they  have  signed  matricu- 
ladors,  thus  taking  the  first  steps  to  be  naturalized.  We  must  deal  with 
them  as  with  our  own  countrymen." 

"  Is  this  true  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Stearns,  turning  to  us. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  was  our  prompt  answer. 

"  What  in  the  devil's  name  did  you  do  that  for  ? "  was  the  next 
question. 

"  Because  we  were  in  love,  and  wanted  to  get  married,"  we  answered, 
quite  innocently. 

"  Oh,  what  fools,"  was  the  cheerful  response.  "  Did  n't  you  know  any 
better?" 

"  No,  sir.     We  supposed  it  was  all  right." 

"  Well,  it  's  all  wrong,  and  now  we  must  trust  to  luck,  and  get  you  out  of 
the  trouble  the  best  way  we  can,"  and  then  turning  to  the  alcalda  Mr. 
Stearns  said,  "  We  acknowledge  that  the  young  men  have  signed  matricu- 
ladors,  but  that  only  goes  to  show  the  honesty  and  good  intentions  of  the 
lads.  They  were  anxious  to  become  citizens  of  the  State  for  certain  rea 
sons  which  will  appeal  to  the  judgment  and  good  sense  of  every  lady  and 
man  present." 

"  What  were  the  reasons,  senor  ? "  demanded  the  alcalda,  and  he  smiled 
as  he  asked  the  question,  although  I  really  believe  he  knew  all  about  the 
matter  at  the  time. 

"  Well,  it  seems  the  young  men  want  to  be  married,  and  they  supposed 
the  ceremony  could  not  be  performed  unless  naturalized,  or  that  they  gave 
notice  of  their  intentions  to  be." 

At  this  explanation  there  was  a  general  laugh  from  the  male  portion   of 


214  Lewey  and  I. 


the  audience,  and  smiles  and  blushes  on  the  part  of  the  ladies.  The  latter 
looked  as  though  they  thought  our  ambition  a  notable  one,  something  that 
should  be  commended,  instead  of  ridiculed. 

"  We  shall  have  to  ask  for  a  continuation  of  the  case,"  Mr.  Stearns  said. 
"  Let  the  matter  lay  over  for  a  few  days,  and  perhaps  the  courier  will  turn 
up  all  right." 

"  We  can  settle  the  subject  at  the  present  time  just  as  well  as  though  we 
waited  a  week,"  the  advocate  for  the  government  said.  "  California  now 
needs  soldiers.  Monterey  is  threatened  by  the  United  States.  Already  a 
horde  of  robbers  and  murderers  has  invaded  the  territory.  We  must  drive 
them  back  to  the  mountains,  or  polute  our  soil  with  their  graves.  Let  the 
young  men  volunteer  for  the  army,  and  the  case  will  be  instantly  closed." 

"  But  the  lads  did  not  matriculador  for  any  such  purpose,"  Mr.  Stearns 
remarked.  "  If  there  is  any  fighting  to  be  done  they  prefer  to  do  it  after 
they  are  married,"  which  candid  remark  produced  a  laugh  from  the  men, 
and  a  pout  from  the  women,  the  unmarried  ones  looking  quite  spiteful. 

"  Let  the  prisoners  decide  the  question,"  the  alcalda  said.  "  They  are 
old  enough  to  choose  between  imprisonment,  or  freedom,  and  the  gayety  of 
a  soldier's  life." 

"  Vot  skall  ve  do  ?  "  whispered  Lewey,  but,  before  I  could  answer  the 
question  by  an  indignant  refusal,  there  were  murmurs  of  astonishment,  and 
then  came  a  chorus  of  voices,  and  the  cry  of,  — 

"El  correo,  el  correo,"  and  pushing  through  the  crowd  we  saw  the  mus- 
cular form  and  handsome  face  of  Pedro,  the  government  courier,  the  man 
we  had  met  at  Tobias's  ranche,  and  with  whom  I  had  exchanged  horses, 
and  paid  a  little  to  boot. 

Don  Antonio  Sanchos  did  not  look  happy  when  he  saw  Pedro's  well- 
known  face,  and  his  eyes  showed  some  of  the  disappointment  he  felt  as  the 
courier  sauntered  forward,  and  stood  in  front  of  the  alcalda.  Every  one  in 
the  room  knew  the  ranchero,  and  all  were  glad  to  welcome  his  return  except 
our  enemies. 

Mr.  Temple,  a  smile  on  his  face,  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  addressed  the 
alcalda. 

"  Senor,"  he  said,  "  here  is  the  caballero  who  was  supposed  dead,  and 
whom  these  young  men  were  accused  of  murdering.  Let  him  be  put  on 
the  stand,  and  questioned.  You  and  I  and  every  one  present  know  him 
well,  and  are  sure  of  his  truthful  character." 

"  Si,  si,"  was  heard  all  over  the  room.  "  Let  the  correo  speak,  and  tell 
us  what  he  knows  of  the  young  men." 


Lewey  and  /.  215 


But  Pedro  did  not  seem  to  take  heed  of  the  murmurs.  He  looked 
around  upon  the  audience  as  though  he  did  not  quite  understand  what  the 
tumult  was  all  about,  and,  as  his  eyes  roamed  here  arid  there,  they  suddenly 
fell  on  our  faces,  and  a  smile  lighted  up  his  countenance  and  black  eyes,  as 
he  sprang  toward  us,  and  seized  our  hands,  giving  us  a  grip  that  almost 
made  the  tears  start,  and  then  patting  us  on  the  backs  with  both  hands 
shouted,  — 

"  Amigos,  amigos,  como  se  va  ?  "  or  in  English,  "  Friends,  friends,  how 
do  you  do  ?  " 

There  was  a  great  shout  from  the  audience,  and  the  young  ladies  looked 
as  though  they  wanted  to  kiss  us,  and  we  felt  so  pleased  that  we  would 
have  willingly  cast  aside  our  timid  modesty  for  the  time  being,  and  con- 
sented to  the  embrace. 

"  Do  you  know  these  young  men  ? "  asked  the  alcalda,  as  soon  as  the 
noise  had  in  some  degree  subsided. 

"  Si,  senor,"  Pedro  replied,  in  a  loud  tone  so  that  all  could  hear. 

"  State  what  you  know  about  them,"  was  the  command. 

"  One  moment,  senor.  I  am  a  government  correo,  and  must  deliver  my 
despatches  before  I  answer  any  questions,  or  talk  on  matters  that  do  not 
concern  the  public  welfare.  Here  are  papers  and  letters  from  the  alcalda 
of  San  Diego.  I  have  just  arrived  from  that  town,  and  come  to  your  court 
to  deliver  my  messages.  I  was  not  aware  that  my  two  friends  were  under 
arrest.  I  know  not  for  what." 

The  courier  placed  in  the  alcalda's  hand  a  bag  containing  the  documents, 
and  the  official  glanced  over  the  papers,  but  made  no  comment  as  he  read 
them,  yet  the  news  was  important  as  it  announced  plans  for  the  war,  and 
preparations  for  a  vigorous  defence. 

"  Now,  senor  correo,"  said  the  alcalda  with  a  sigh,  as  he  read  the  news, 
and  realized  what  the  result  might  be,  "  you  will  please  take  the  stand,  and 
tell  us  what  you  know  about  these  young  men." 

"  We  have  no  desire  to  hear  the  correo,  senor,"  the  government  attorney 
cried.  "  We  are  satisfied  that  no  murder  has  been  committed,  and  with- 
draw the  charge." 

"  No,  no,"  came  from  all  parts  of  the  room.  "  Let  the  correo  speak  at 
once." 

"  It  is  necessary  for  the  reputation  of  these  young  men  that  the  correo 
should  be  heard,"  Mr.  Stearns  cried.  "  They  have  told  their  story.  Now 
let  Pedro  tell  his,  and  we  shall  see  if  they  agree  in  their  account  of  the 
meeting." 


216  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Go  on,  Pedro,"  ordered  the  alcalda.  "  You  have  met  the  young  men 
before  today  ? " 

"  Yes,  senor." 

"  Where  did  you  first  encounter  them  ?  " 

"  At  the  ranche  of  Tobias,  fifteen  miles  or  more  from  San  Diego,  where 
they  had  remained  over  night." 

"  You  are  friendly  to  the  young  men  ?  "  was  the  next  question. 

"  Gracias  Dios,  I  should  think  so.  They  saved  my  life,  and  that  of  a 
young  girl,  Florencia,  the  daughter  of  the  ranchero." 

"  In  what  manner  ? "  and  all  the  people  in  the  room  leaned  forward  to 
catch  every  word  that  Pedro  uttered,  as  he  answered  the  question. 

"  The  senors  had  started  on  their  journey  for  this  place,  but  met  on  the 
road  the  Senorita  Florencia,  who  was  looking  for  the  eggs  of  quails.  While 
exchanging  salutations  with  her  on  the  trail,  a  band  of  four  Apache  warri- 
ors burst  from  the  chapparel,  and  rode  toward  them,  with  the  intention  of 
making  a  prisoner  of  the  girl  and  killing  the  caballeros." 

At  this  stage  of  the  story  the  young  girls  uttered  sobs,  and  the  elderly 
ladies  crossed  themselves,  and  said  short  prayers. 

"  Some  men  would  have  turned  their  horses'  heads  and  fled,"  the  correo 
continued,  "  but  not  so  my  friends.  They  said  to  each  other,  *  We  will 
save  the  young  girl,  or  die  for  her.'  " 

Here  there  were  ripples  of  applause,  and  the  ladies  flashed  bright  glances 
at  us,  as  though  we  were  real  heroes,  and  for  a  moment  forgot  their 
tears. 

"  Go  on,  and  tell  us  what  was  the  result,"  the  alcalda  commanded. 

"  As  the  murdering  devils  of  Apaches  charged  on  the  young  men,  they 
dismounted,  told  the  girl  to  make  her  escape  with  their  horses,  and  stood 
their  ground,  and  fired." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  a  dozen  voices.  "  Go  on  and  tell  us  the  balance  of  the 
story." 

"  Two  of  the  cruel  thieves  fell,  and  the  third  was  also  shot  as  he  ad- 
vanced. The  fourth  Apache  was  killed  by  Tobias,  just  as  he  was  about  to 
overtake  Florencia.  None  of  the  wild  Indians  were  alive  when  I  arrived 
at  the  scene  a  few  hours  after  the  battle." 

"  Bueno,"  was  the  verdict  of  the  people. 

"  But  how  do  you  make  it  that  the  young  men  saved  your  life  ? " 
asked  the  alcalda. 

"  In  this  way,  senor.  The  Indians  were  raiding  the  district  of  San 
Diego.  If  the  young  men  had  not  been  present  they  would  have  killed  me, 


Lewey  and  I.  217 


the  girl,  and  Tobias.  They  were  concealed  in  the  chapparel,  and  awaiting 
all  who  passed.  I  could  not  have  protected  myself  against  the  sudden  at- 
tack. For  this  reason  I  say  that  I  am  indebted  for  my  life  to  the  senors. 
I  owe  them  muchos  gracias." 

The  audience  gave  expression  to  their  joy  by  a  loud  clapping  of  hands, 
and  the  ladies  waved  rich  fans,  and  looked  pleased  at  the  result,  so  unex- 
pected to  all. 

"  How  did  you  happen  to  let  the  young  men  possess  your  horse  ?  "  the 
alcalda  asked,  as  soon  as  the  confusion  had  subsided. 

Pedro  blushed  a  little,  and  looked  abashed  for  a  moment.  Then  he  ral- 
lied, and  said.  — 

"  My  caballo  was  tired,  and  I  needed  a  fresh  and  fast  horse  to  run  the 
gauntlet  of  the  wild  Indians.  The  senor  liked  my  animal.  I  favored  his, 
as  I  knew  that  it  could  travel  faster  than  mine,  when  properly  managed.  I 
made  the  exchange,  and  received  eight  reals  to  boot.  It  was  a  good  bar- 
gain for  me,  but  if  the  senor  is  dissatisfied  I  will  return  him  the  money," 
and  at  this  point  the  audience  laughed,  and  nodded  to  each  other,  as  much 
as  to  say  Pedro  was  a  sharp  one,  and  no  mistake. 

"  The  horse  is  government  property,  and  the  correo  had  no  right  to  ex- 
change it,"  the  attorney  for  the  State  cried,  inspired  by  Don  Sanchos. 

Pedro  grinned  at  the  advocate,  as  he  said,  — 

"  If  the  senor  will  look  at  my  instructions  he  will  see  that  I  have  full 
power  to  buy,  exchange,  or  take  horses  where  and  when  I  please.  It 
pleased  me  to  exchange  my  steed  for  another,  and  I  did  so.  But  I  will 
give  him  back  to  my  friend,  for  I  fear  I  cheated  him." 

Then  the  people  once  more  smiled,  and,  when  I  shook  my  head,  and 
said  that  I  thought  I  had  the  best  of  the  bargain,  there  was  a  general  roar, 
and  even  the  alcalda  joined  in  the  mirth. 

"  The  case  is  dismissed,"  said  the  magistrate.  "  The  young  men  are 
discharged." 

Messrs.  Temple  and  Stearns  came  to  us  and  shook  our  hands,  and  con- 
gratulated us  upon  our  escape.  But  just  then  Don  Sanchos  made  his  voice 
heard. 

"  I  claim  these  young  men  for  the  army  of  California,"  he  said.  "  We 
need  just  such  people.  As  matriculadors  they  must  serve  when  called  up- 
on. Let  them  be  enrolled  at  once,  and  sent  to  headquarters  immediately." 

This  was  not  a  pleasant  termination  of  our  trials.  We  did  not  like  the 
idea  of  being  enrolled  as  Mexican  soldiers,  and  compelled  to  fight  against 
the  United  States,  but  the  alcalda  reassured  us,  as  he  said,  — 


218  Lewey  and  I. 


"  The  young  men  can  be  enlisted  among  the  brave  defenders  of  the 
State,  but  they  have  the  privilege  of  receiving  a  month's  notice  before 
being  called  upon  to  serve.  This  is  the  law." 

"  Then,  in  conformity  to  the  law,  I  give  the  matriculadors  one  month's 
warning,"  Don  Sanchos  said,  and  he  gave  us  a  look  that  showed  he  would 
not  forget  the  exact  time.  But  we  answered  his  glances  with  a  gesture  of 
contempt,  for  we  had  beaten  him  three  times,  and  hoped  to  be  enabled  to 
do  so  again,  if  the  occasion  served. 

The  alcalda  arose,  bowed  to  all  present,  and  retired,  and  then  we 
found  ourselves  surrounded  by  the  foreign  residents,  and  congratulated  on 
the  victory  which  we  had  gained.  One  lady,  an  aged  dame,  kissed  us  on 
both  cheeks,  and  called  us  blessed.  She  was  a  widow,  and  wanted  a 
second  husband,  and  probably  thought  we  might  answer,  but  she  smelled  of 
garlic,  and  her  teeth  were  bad,  so  was  out  of  the  question  as  long  as  there 
were  young  girls  ready  to  take  us  for  partners. 

We  did  not  get  to  Mr.  Stearns's  house  till  near  three  o'clock.  Pedro 
went  with  us,  and  told  us  how  he  had  escaped  the  Indians  on  the  route,  and 
that  it  was  thought  the  savages  had  returned  to  the  southern  part  of  Ari- 
zona. At  all  the  ranches  he  had  heard  only  praises  of  our  conduct,  and  a 
fervent  hope  that  we  would  return  some  time.  We  sent  our  compliments 
to  Florencia  and  the  other  ladies,  and  Pedro  said  that  he  would  deliver 
them  when  he  again  passed  over  the  trail,  which  might  not  be  for  a  week  or 
ten  days,  just  according  to  the  news  from  Monterey. 

Our  dog  Jack  was  frantic  with  delight  when  he  saw  us,  and  could  not  do 
enough  to  show  his  pleasure.  He  had  been  very  good,  and  only  manifested 
his  loneliness  by  whining  "once  in  a  while,  and  looking  down  the  street  to 
see  if  we  were  coming. 

Our  host  gave  us  a  very  good  dinner,  and  in  the  evening  Lewey  and  I  en- 
tertained the  company  with  an  exhibition  of  legerdemain  that  pleased  the 
young  ladies,  and  caused  them  to  marvel  at  our  skill. 

The  next  day  Sanchos  and  his  gang  left  the  Pueblo,  and  every  one  was 
glad  that  he  and  his  followers  were  gone,  and  it  was  hoped  would  never  re- 
turn. 

We  remained  six  days  at  Los  Angeles,  and  then  announced  our  in- 
tended departure  for  Ranche  Refugio.  We  were  requested  to  stay,  and 
none  were  more  urgent  than  the  ladies  of  the  household,  but  we  pleaded 
that  honor  and  duty  called  us  to  go,  and  so  one  morning  saddled  our 
horses,  packed  our  baggage,  and  were  ready  to  start,  but  as  we  bade  all  a 
kind  farewell,  Mr.  Stearns  said,  — 


Lewey  and  L  219 


"  My  lads,  there  are  several  American  ships  on  the  coast.  Get  on  board 
one  of  them,  and  stay  there.  Do  not  come  on  shore  if  you  can  help  it. 
Let  the  girls  alone,  and  some  day  you  will  thank  me  for  my  advice,  for  it  is 
the  best  that  I  can  give  you." 

We  promised  to  think  of  the  matter,  and  then  saluted  all  who  were  pres- 
ent to  see  us  off,  and  trotted  down  the  street,  Jack  barking  himself  hoarse 
with  delight  at  the  prospect  of  meeting  more  adventures,  and  once  in  a 
while,  to  vary  the  monotony,  dashing  at  some  greaser's  dog,  and  sending 
him  scampering  homeward,  his  stub  tail  between  his  legs  with  every  evi- 
dence of  fear. 

Pedro  rode  with  us  for  ten  miles  or  more,  just  as  an  act  of  courtesy.  He 
gave  us  directions  as  to  our  route  and  halting  places,  and  the  most  feasible 
way  of  crossing  the  coast  range  of  mountains,  between  Los  Angeles  and 
Santa  Barbara,  and  when  he  had  commended  us  to  his  patron  saint,  said 
that  God  would  watch  over  us,  shook  hands,  and  dashed  back  to  the  town 
like  a  whirlwind,  Lewey  and  I  pursued  our  journey  all  alone. 

"  I  dink,"  remarked  my  friend,  as  we  loped  over  the  trail,  "  dat  ve  made 
von  great  mistake.  Ve  should  have  married  two  of  de  sweet  little  girls  of 
Los  Angeles,  and  settled  dar." 

"And  let  our  wives  starve  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Veil,  ve  skall  starve  vid  dem,  so  de  ding  is  equal,.  Ve  might  as  veil 
take  life  easy  in  von  place  as  anudder.  Besides,  I  dink  dem  Pueblo  senor- 
itas  has  more  money  dan  de  udders." 

"  And  keep  away  from  Anita  and  Engracia  ? "  I  asked,  a  little  re- 
proachfully. 

"  Veil,  ve  could  hab  gone  and  seed  'em  vonce  in  a  vhile,"  and  then  the 
bad  young  man  gave  me  a  wink  that  was  suggestive  of  an  easy  conscience 
regarding  the  marriage  relation. 

But  as  I  refused  to  encourage  the  ideas  which  he  entertained  the  French 
boy  dropped  the  subject,  and  we  rode  on  in  silence  for  an  hour  or  more. 
It  was  quite  evident  to  me  that  Lewey  did  not  love  the  girl  he  had  sworn  to 
honor  and  remember  as  strongly  as  he  might  have  done,  or  he  would  not 
have  been  attracted  by  the  pretty  faces  we  had  seen  since  leaving  San 
Diego.  I  feared  that  there  would  be  some  difficulty  in  getting  him  to  give 
his  hand  unless  his  heart  went  with  it.  However,  I  trusted  that  the  sight 
of  Engracia's  sweet  features  might  produce  the  usual  results  on  his  fickle 
mind,  and  determined  not  to  argue  with  him  on  the  subject,  as  such  a 
course  would  make  him  more  obstinate. 

By  twelve  o'clock  we  had  climbed  the  summit  of  the  coast  range  of  moun- 


22O  Lewey  and  I. 


tains,  and  looked  once  more  on  the  Pacific,  and  the  islands  that  extend 
along  the  coast  from  Santa  Barbara  to  San  Pedro.  The  view  was  a  mag- 
nificent one,  and,  while  we  halted  to  partake  of  a  slight  luncheon,  and  rest 
our  horses,  a  Mexican  ranchero  rode  toward  us  from  a  trail  that  led  down 
into  the  valley,  in  the  direction  of  Buenaventura.  He  was  a  young  fellow* 
dark,  and  not  prepossessing,  and  there  was  something  in  his  face  that  re- 
sembled the  features  of  Don  Sanchos  and  his  brother  Carlos,  bold  and 
brutal. 

The  ranchero  rode  up  and  saluted  us  in  a  frank  manner,  asked  where  we 
were  going,  and  the  news  at  Los  Angeles,  and,  when  we  had  answered  all 
of  his  questions  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  intimated  that  he  had  a  ranche  a 
short  distance  from  where  we  were  resting,  and  would  be  glad  to  welcome 
us  to  his  house  and  all  that  it  contained,  if  we  would  honor  him  with  a 
visit. 

Lewey,  in  his  usual  impulsive  manner,  sprang  up,  and  proposed  that  we 
should  accept  at  once,  but  I  felt  such  a  repugnance  to  our  visitor  that  I 
firmly  declined,  pleading  the  need  of  haste  to  reach  the  end  of  our 
journey. 

"  Vot  a  feller  you  is,"  Lewey  remarked,  in  English.  "  Ve  can  go  and  see 
his  home,  and  perhaps  he  has  a  booful  sister  dar." 

But  I  was  firm,  and  at  last  the  visitor  looked  the  disappointment  he  felt 
in  not  securing  our  presence  at  his  ranche,  and  then  in  a  sullen  manner 
mounted  his  horse,  and,  as  he  did  so,  asked,  — 

"  Are  your  rifles  loaded,  amigos  ?  " 

I  do  not  know  why,  but  I  made  a  prompt  response  that  was  not  exactly 
truthful,  as  I  said,  in  a  careless  manner,  — 

"  Oh,  no,  we  did  not  think  it  worth  while,  as  the  mountains  are  safe,  we 
have  been  told." 

"  You  are  sure  ? "  was  the  next  question. 

*«  Yes,  quite." 

The  fellow  instantly  put  a  hand  to  his  mouth,  and  uttered  a  peculiar  cry, 
and  out  of  the  bushes  sprang  three  horsemen,  all  with  long  lariats  in  their 
hands,  and  swinging  them  as  they  dashed  toward  us. 

"  Surrender,  you  gringos,"  cried  the  man  who  had  wanted  us  to  visit  his 
ranche,  and  accept  of  his  hospitality. 

We  jumped  to  our  feet,  and  laid  hands  on  the  rifles  that  were  near,  sur- 
prised but  not  dismayed  by  the  advance  and  sudden  appearance  of  the 
greasers.  We  saw  at  once  that  there  was  a  plot  and  trick  of  some  kind  to 
capture  us,  but  for  what  reason  we  could  not  divine,  as  it  was  unknown 


vw:^ 


*•' 


Lewey  and  I.  223 


that  we  had  money  on  our  persons,  not  having  revealed  the  secret  to  a  sin- 
gle person,  since  we  had  been  paid  the  doubloons  by  Captain  Fitch,  at  San 
Diego. 

"What  does  this  mean  ?  "  asked  Lewey  in  Spanish  of  the  greaser. 

"  It  means  that  you  are  my  prisoners,"  was  the  ready  answer.  "  Surren- 
der, or  we  will  drag  you  down  the  side  of  the  mountain  at  the  end  of  our 
lariats." 

"  Keep  off,"  we  cried,  as  we  backed  against  a  pine-tree,  the  branches  of 
which  would  shield  us  from  the  whirl  of  the  unerring  lariats.  "  If  you  dare 
to  molest  us  we  will  kill  you  as  we  would  a  mad  dog,"  and  we  raised  our 
rifles  in  a  threatening  manner. 

"  Bah,  we  do  not  care  for  your  escopetas,"  was  the  cry,  as  the  horsemen 
formed  in  a  line,  and  looked  for  a  chance  to  ensnare  us  with  their  reatas, 
but  the  tree  afforded  shelter,  and  they  could  not  touch  us  or  our  horses,  as 
the  branches  extended  for  a  long  distance,  and  our  backs  were  against  the 
trunk  of  the  stout  pine,  or  red  wood,  I  have  forgotten  which. 

The  new-comers  seemed  to  fear  the  muzzles  of  our  guns,  and  rather  held 
back,  until  the  owner  of  the  ranche,  and  leader  of  the  gang  shouted,  — 

"  You  need  not  care.  Their  rifles  are  empty.  Ride  them  down,  if  the 
gringos  dare  not  come  out  and  have  a  fair  fight." 

This  was  cool,  even  for  a  Mexican  greaser.  Four  mounted,  expert 
horsemen  daring  two  young  man  to  leave  the  shelter  of  a  tree,  and  trust  to 
their  quickness  in  dodging  the  deadly  reatas,  which  once  over  our  forms 
was  certain  death,  or  maimed  for  life. 

"  Keep  away  from  us,"  we  cried,  in  a  calm  tone.  "  We  warn  you  that 
there  is  death  for  two  of  you  if  an  attack  is  made  on  us.  Our  rifles  are 
loaded,  and  we  know  how  to  use  them.  Ladrones  of  the  devil,  leave  us  in 
peace,  and  we  will  not  harm  you." 

The  greasers  laughed  at  the  advice.  They  thought  we  were  sure  to  be 
captured  sooner  or  later,  and  while  we  were  speaking  the  men  dismounted 
to  act  to  better  advantage  in  approaching  us,  and  then  I  noticed  one  of  the 
Mexicans  reached  down,  and  drew  a  long  knife  from  his  leggings.  I  knew 
the  meaning  of  the  action  as  well  as  if  the  fellow  had  told  me  what  he  in- 
tended to  do.  He  would  poise  the  cuchillo  for  a  moment,  and  then  let  it 
fly  through  the  air,  and  it  probably  might  hit  within  a  few  inches  of  the  spot 
he  aimed  at.  I  had  seen  the  trick  performed  many  times,  and  was  not  un- 
prepared for  it. 

"Lewey,"  I  whispered,  "the  greaser  is  about  to  throw  his  knife  at  us. 
Take  care." 


224  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Den  throw  a  little  lead  at  him  afore  he  has  de  chance,"  was  the 
reply. 

The  Mexican  raised  his  long,  sharp  knife,  and  the  next  moment  it  would 
have  penetrated  one  of  our  bodies,  but  I  stopped  his  pleasant  little  pastime, 
for,  just  as  he  was  ready  to  throw,  I  aimed  my  rifle  and  fired.  The  ball 
struck  the  greaser's  shoulder,  and,  with  a  yell  of  pain,  the  knife  was  drop- 
ped to  the  ground,  and  the  fellow  nearly  tumbled  over  backward,  so  great 
was  his  astonishment. 

As  if  in  response  to  the  report  of  the  rifle,  far  down  the  mountain  side, 
toward  Santa  Barbara,  was  heard  the  fan-fan  of  trumpets,  the  loud,  shrill 
blast  of  cavalry  music,  such  as  the  California  troops  were  accustomed  to 
march  by. 

The  greasers  listened  eagerly  for  a  moment,  then  mounted,  and  dashed 
spurs  in  their  horses'  sides,  and  disappeared  down  one  of  the  narrow  trails 
that  led  we  knew  not  where. 

"Dey  got  a  stomach  full  dat  time/'  Lewey  cried,  as  the  last  of  the  Mexi- 
cans disappeared  from  sight,  only  the  lad  did  not  use  quite  such  polite  lan- 
guage as  I  have  written.  "  You  gib  von  of  dem  somethin'  dat  he  vill  re- 
member for  many  and  many  a  long  day,  and  de  pain  vill  keep  him  avake  for 
some  nights  sure.  Ah,  to  dink  dat  I  vanted  to  go  vid  dat  greaser,  and  felt 
cross  'cos  you  vould  not  consent.  You  vill  forgib  me,  bon  compagnon  ?  " 
and  the  French  boy  extended  his  hand.  He  was  always  ready  to  be  for- 
given when  he  had  done  anything  more  foolish  than  usual. 

Up  the  side  of  the  mountain  we  heard  the  shrill  blast  of  the  trumpets, 
the  sound  re-echoing  from  peak  to  peak,  and  at  last  we  saw  a  troop  of  Mex- 
ican cavalry  winding  about  the  narrow  trail  at  a  slow  pace,  for  the  ascent 
was  difficult  and  dangerous,  and  at  the  head  of  the  column  were  several  of- 
ficers in  showy  uniforms,  with  heavy  sabres  at  their  sides.  There  were 
about  one  hundred  men  in  all,  but  the  fellows  were  slight  and  lacked 
strength,  yet  they  made  excellent  horsemen  and  capital  scouts,  quick  and 
accurate  in  the  information  they  obtained  of  an  enemy's  position  and 
movements,  as  we  afterward  learned. 

"  Had  ve  better  vait  and  see  de  sojers,  or  cut  and  run  for  it  ? "  asked 
Lewey. 

As  the  troops  had  already  seen  us,  and  were  commenting  on  our  unex- 
pected presence  in  that  part  of  the  country,  I  thought  that  we  had  better 
remain  where  we  were,  and  have  an  interview,  but  just  as  I  spoke  the 
squadron  was  halted,  and  a  couple  of  scouts  thrown  out  to  see  if  there  was 
a  force  back  of  us,  and  what  it  was  composed  of.  It  is  probable  that  the 


Lewey  and  I.  225 


commander  imagined  the  wicked  Americans  were  stealing  a  march  on  the 
Mexicans,  and  crossing  the  mountains  to  take  Santa  Barbara  in  flank  and 
rear,  as  could  have  been  done  very  easily,  if  so  disposed,  but  as  there  was 
nothing  to  prevent  an  attack  from  the  front  or  water  side  of  the  town,  our 
government  did  not  deem  it  expedient  to  compel  men  to  march  ninety 
miles  instead  of  one.  In  fact,  during  the  war,  a  midshipman  from  the  frig- 
ate Congress  or  Savannah,  with  twelve  men-,  held  the  pleasant  town  for 
several  weeks,  and  then  marched  out  of  the  rude  stockade  they  had  erected 
with  all  the  honors  of  war,  after  being  threatened  by  some  hundred  greasers, 
who  should  have  eaten  them  up  before  breakfast,  as  a  little  lunch  to  sharp- 
en their  appetites  fora  more  substantial  meal. 

The  scouts  came  on  very  cautiously,  halting  their  mustangs  every  few 
paces  so  that  a  good  look  could  be  obtained  of  us,  but,  when  we  rose  up, 
and  showed  our  powerful  forms,  the  soldiers  dashed  into  the  bushes  to  get 
out  of  sight,  for  fear  a  shot  might  whistle  around  their  ears.  To  prevent 
further  complications,  and  not  provoke  the  men,  we  waved  a  serape  in 
token  of  peace,  and  then  the  scouts  came  toward  us,  and  looked  with  as- 
tonishment at  our  persons. 

"  Remember  you  is  a  Frenchman  for  dis  day  at  least,"  Lewey  said,  as  the 
cavalry  advanced  up  the  mountain,  and  halted  near  our  resting  place. 

"Who  are  you?"  asked  the  officer  commanding,  "and  what  are  you  do- 
ing here  ? " 

"  We  are  French  lads,"  answered  Lewey,  "  and  on  our  way  to  get 
mairied." 

Then  men  and  officers  laughed  and  shouted  at  the  information.  It  was  a 
little  singular  that  people  always  smiled  and  joked  us  when  we  stated  that  we 
were  about  to  be  married,  just  as  though  there  was  something  to  make  mer- 
ry over  in  the  announcement.  We  thought  it  was  rather  a  serious  piece  of 
business,  and  most  folks  find  it  so  before  they  die. 

"  When  did  you  leave  Los  Angeles  ?  "  asked  the  commander,  as  soon  as 
the  laughter  had  subsided. 

We  told  him,  and  also  said  there  was  no  news  of  importance  at  the 
Pueblo.  The  colonel  and  men  were  going  to  the  town  to  look  after  the 
Americans  who  might  land  at  San  Pedro,  and  march  to  Los  Angeles,  as 
they  afterward  did,  and  got  licked  by  the  greasers  in  an  out  and  out  man- 
ner, about  the  only  victory  the  Mexicans  gained  over  the  United  States 
forces,  composed  of  sailors  and  marines,  and  not  a  field  piece  to  offset  the 
only  one  the  Californians  owned. 

"Have  you   papers   permitting  you   to   travel   through   the   country?" 


226  Lewey  and  I. 


asked  the  officer,  after  we  had  given  him  all  the  information  we  thought 
desirable. 

"  Certainly,  senor,"  was  our  answer.  "  We  have  a  pass  from  General 
Castro.  Shall  we  produce  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  let  me  see  it." 

We  handed  the  paper  to  him.  He  read  it  carefully,  and  then  returned  it 
to  us. 

"  That  is  all  right,"  and  then  his  eyes  fell  on  our  rifles.  The  pistols  we 
had  put  out  of  sight,  as  we  feared  the  soldiers  would  be  tempted  to  take 
them. 

"  I  heard  a  shot  as  I  came  up  the  mountain,"  the  colonel  said.  "  What 
were  you  firing  at  ?  " 

"  A  deer,  senor,"  as  we  did  not  deem  it  advisable  to  tell  him  all  that  we 
knew. 

"  And  you  missed  ?  "  with  a  laugh. 

"  Yes,  senor  ;  the  deer  was  a  long  distance  from  us.'' 

"  Let  me  see  your  rifles,"  was  the  next  command. 

Lewey  promptly  stepped  forward,  and  held  them  up  for  his  inspection. 

"  These  are  good  weapons.  I  need  them  for  my  men  to  fight  the  Ameri- 
cans," the  officer  remarked  in  a  very  cool  tone.  "  I  will  keep  them." 

"  Is  there  anything  else  you  would  like  that  belongs  to  us  ? "  Lewey 
asked  in  a  sarcastic  manner. 

;'  Yes,  your  horses.  They  look  like  good  ones,  and  well  broken  to  the 
saddle.  We  will  take  them." 

"And  also  the  saddles?  "  demanded  my  friend,  keeping  down  the  rage 
that  wanted  to  find  vent. 

"  Yes,  the  saddles  also." 

"  Perhaps  you  need  our  blankets  ? "  Lewey  inquired,  with  a  sneer. 

"  We  can  use  them,"  was  the  prompt  reply. 

"  I  '11  be  hanged  if  you  do,"  my  friend  cried  in  Spanish,  and  then  threw 
up  his  arms,  looked  down  the  side  of  the  mountain,  and  shouted  wildly, 
while  he  seized  the  two  rifles  from  the  officer's  hands,  tossed  them  to  me, 
and  continued,  — 

"  Gracias  Dios,  here  comes  Fremont  and  his  desperate  gang  of  trappers 
and  wild  Indians.  We  shall  all  be  murdered  in  cold  blood  if  we  are  cap- 
tured. Save  me  some  one." 

"  Adelante,"  yelled  the  commander  of  the  cavalry,  not  stopping  to  see  if 
the  report  was  true.  "Vamous,  muy  presto,"  and  with  a  yell  the  whole 
body  of  men  struck  their  spurs  into  the  horses'  sides,  and  went  on  with  a 


Leivey  and  I.  227 


rush  and  a  dash  so  charming  to  see  that  Lewey  just  laid  down  on  one  of 
the  most  convenient  flat  rocks,  and  roared  until  the  tears  blinded  his  eyes. 
The  last  we  saw  of  the  troop  the  colonel  was  a  little  ahead  of  his  men,  but 
not  much,  and  leading  the  officers  were  the  two  trumpeters,  their  instru- 
ments over  their  backs,  and  pounding  their  spines  at  every  jump  of  the  mus- 
tangs on  which  they  were  mounted. 

We  did  not  lose  any  time  in  saddling  our  horses,  gathering  up  our  traps, 
and  descending  the  mountain  trail,  only  to  ascend  another  that  seemed 
higher  than  the  one  we  left,  and  so  we  pushed  on  until  near  night,  when  we 
came  to  a  lonely  ranche  in  a  valley,  and  craved  permission  to  pass  the  night 
under  the  shelter  of  an  out-building.  The  owner  and  wife  were  a  little 
dazed,  as  they  had  been  visited  by  the  Mexican  cavalry  in  the  morning,  and 
the  bold  warriors  consumed  everything  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  be- 
sides helping  themselves  to  horses  and  two  bullocks,  the  latter  eaten  for 
breakfast,  only  the  choicest  bits  being  taken  by  the  dainty  soldiers,  and  the 
rest  thrown  to  the  dogs. 

While  Lewey  was  looking  after  the  horses,  and  piquetting  them  where 
the  grass  was  good,  I  took  my  rifle,  and  sauntered  along  to  the  edge  of 
some  trees,  and  managed  to  stumble  on  a  fat  doe,  which  I  shot,  and  carried 
to  the  house.  We  dressed  the  carcass,  and  had  some  nice  venison  steaks, 
and  then  the  ranchero  and  his  wife  regaled  us  with  a  few  interesting  ac- 
counts of  the  treatment  they  had  received  at  the  hands  of  their  country- 
men, and,  when  the  lady  said  that  the  soldiers  had  insulted  her  by  offering 
to  salute  her  chaste  lips,  we  thought  that  the  depravity  of  the  cavalry  was 
something  to  be  deplored,  or  their  stomachs  of  unbounded  strength,  for 
Lewey  stated  that  there  was  not  enough  money  in  all  California  to  tempt 
him  to  do  such  a  thing,  which  is  sufficient  proof  that  the  senora  was  very 
plain,  and  smelled  of  garlic. 

We  were  not  disturbed  during  the  night,  except  by  the  yelping  of  coy- 
otes, and  the  usual  terrific  attack  of  fleas.  But  as  we  were  accustomed  to 
both  nuisances  we  managed  to  have  a  fair  quantity  of  sleep,  and  were  ready 
for  breakfast  at  sunrise,  and  on  our  way  by  eight  o'clock,  the  host  and  wife 
requesting  us  to  call  and  see  them  if  we  ever  traveled  that  way  again. 

It  was  a  beautiful  morning,  cool  and  crisp,  and  the  heavy  dew  of  the 
night  had  freshened  the  grass  and  flowers,  and  filled  the  air  with  perfume. 
Our  hearts  and  spirits  were  light  as  we  galloped  along  the  valleys,  or 
walked  our  horses  slowly  up  the  steep  mountains,  keeping  to  the  trail,  so 
blind  in  some  places  we  had  to  pick  our  way  to  be  sure  that  we  were  on  the 
right  road,  and  it  was  not  until  late  in  the  afternoon  that  we  stood  on  the 


228  Lewey  and  I. 


last  hill  that  overlooked  Santa  Barbara,  sleeping  quietly  in  the  valley,  with 
the  white  mission  church,  the  bells  of  which  were  clanging  for  some  unusu- 
al service  for  the  pious.  There,  in  front  of  the  town,  was  the  long,  sandy 
beach,  with  the  surf  breaking  white  upon  the  shore,  where  we  had  landed 
so  many  times,  got  ducked  so  often,  and  passed  so  many  happy  hours  while 
on  board  the  ship  Admittance,  only  at  that  period  we  did  not  know  that  we 
were  enjoying  life,  but  thought  ourselves  miserable  and  over-worked.  The 
place  seemed  like  a  home  to  us,  it  looked  so  familiar,  calm  and  content  un- 
der the  warm  afternoon  sun.  Just  inside  the  kelp  was  anchored  a  large  ship, 
and  we  imagined  it  to  be  the  Sterling,  a  Boston  vessel,  after  hides,  flying 
the  American  flag  at  the  peak,  in  defiance  of  the  Mexicans  and  the  war  that 
was  supposed  to  be  raging  at  the  time,  only  Santa  Barbara  had  not  seen 
any  bloodshed  thus  far,  and  the  people  were  not  holding  meetings,  and  ad- 
vising ev.ery  one  to  go  to  the  scene  of  strife,  and  die  like  heroes  for  their 
country.  The  male  portion  of  the  inhabitants  at  that  time  only  wanted  to 
be  let  alone,  and  allowed  to  sleep  and  eat  their  meals  in  peace. 

For  an  hour  we  sat  there  on  the  summit  of  that  hill,  and  looked  at  the 
town  and  the  ocean,  and  enjoyed  the  prospect  before  us.  Eighteen  miles 
beyond  us,  to  the  .north,  was  Ranche  Refugio,  the  end  of  our  journey,  and 
Lewey's  face  glowed  as  he  suddenly  remembered  the  object  of  our  trip, 
and  some  of  his  young  love  seemed  to  revive  as  he  pointed  toward  the 
place,  and  said,  — 

"  Dar  is  vare  ve  vill  see  de  girls.  Tomorrow  ve  vill  clasp  dem  in  our 
arms,  and  de  next  day  ve  vill  talk  ober  vedder  it  is  best  to  be  married  or 
remain  single.  Come  on,  mon  ami,"  and  we  descended  the  hill,  and  rode 
toward  the  town,  people  staring  at  us,  and  wondering  who  we  were,  and 
whether  we  were  Mexicans  or  foreigners. 

We  knew  every  public  man  and  house  in  town,  but  did  not  feel  like  call- 
ing on  our  acquaintances  and  requesting  hospitality,  so  concluded  that  we 
would  pull  up  at  some  greaser's  place,  and  pay  our  way,  thus  being  inde- 
pendant  of  every  one.  We  supposed  the  rich  men  of  the  town,  the  Robin- 
sons and  Noriegos,  would  be  offended  at  our  course,  and  desire  us  as  guests, 
but  we  imagined  that  our  explanations  would  prevent  any  hard  feelings  on 
their  part,  and  thus  break  up  the  friendship  that  had  existed  so  long  be- 
tween us.  Beside,  we  did  not  really  think  the  above-named  parties  would 
be  likely  to  recognize  us  in  case  we  made  them  a  friendly  call,  and  claimed 
bed  and  board  for  a  few  nights. 

While  we  were  speculating  on  these  things,  little  thinking  that  my  com- 
panion, in  the  course  of  a  few  years,  would  be  escorted  through  the  same 


Lewey  and  I.  229 


dusty  streets,  the  guest  of  the  best  people  of  Santa  Barbara,  and  represent- 
ing the  French  nation  as  the  captain  of  a  man-of-war,  whom  should  we  see 
walking  along,  in  a  brown  study,  as  though  calculating  the  price  of  hides 
and  tallow,  silks  and  cotton  fabrics,  but  Mr.  H.  F.  Teschemacher,  our  for- 
mer assistant  supercargo,  and  some  years  later  mayor  of  San  Francisco. 

We  looked  at  him  quite  hard,  but  he  did  not  recognize  us,  and  at  last 
spoke  to  him,  and  even  then  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  realize  that 
the  two  browned,  sun-burned  boys  were  the  same  parties  who  had  been  on 
the  Admittance  for  three  years.  To  be  sure  our  costumes  were  a  little 
travel-stained,  and  in  some  places  ragged,  and  we  would  not  have  passed  as 
caballeros  of  the  first  class,  or  been  considered  good  ornaments  for  a  draw- 
ing-room, but  our  hearts  and  principles  were  first-class,  as  could  have  been 
detected  by  those  who  made  a  study  of  humanity  under  all  sorts  of  guises. 

"  Where  did  you  boys  come  from  ? "  asked  the  astonished  supercargo,  as 
soon  as  he  could  realize  who  we  were. 

We  told  him  all  about  our  discharge,  and  travel  by  land  from  San  Diego, 
and  the  object  of  our  journey,  and  when  we  alluded  to  the  expected  wed- 
ding the  gentleman  smiled. 

"  Well,  of  all  the  fools  I  ever  met  you  two  boys  are  the  greatest,"  was  the 
candid  remark,  and  we  did  not  take  offence  as  we  had  got  accustomed  to 
that  kind  of  talk,  and  considered  it  complimentary  to  be  men  of  our  words. 
"  Don't  you  know  that  the  country  is  turned  upside  down  by  the  war  be- 
tween Mexico  and  the  United  States  ? "  Mr.  Teschemacher  continued. 
"  The  ship  Sterling  is  in  the  harbor.  Tomorrow  I  will  get  you  berths  on 
board  of  her,  and  in  a  short  time  you  can  return  home." 

"  Thank  you,  but  we  are  not  anxious  to  ship  just  at  present,"  I  said. 
"  We  intend  to  settle  down,  and  be  residents  of  the  country,  raise  cattle, 
and  get  rich  like  other  people." 

"  What  nonsense,"  was  the  response.  "  You  do  not  know  the  danger 
you  are  in.  Have  you  any  money  ?  " 

"  Not  a  cent,"  was  that  blessed,  untruthful  Lewey's  response,  and  the 
lad  winked  at  me  as  he  spoke. 

"  Here,"  said  the  supercargo,  putting  his  hand  in  his  pocket,  and  pulling 
out  two  Mexican  dollars.  "  Take  these,  and  tomorrow  I  will  see  about 
shipping  you  on  the  Sterling.  You  can  find  a  place  to  sleep  at  most  any  of 
these  houses,  I  have  no  doubt." 

"  Mil  gracias,"  laughed  Lewey,  as  he  refused  the  coins.  "  Ve  is  not 
traveling  beggars  jist  yet.  Ve  danks  you  jist  de  same  though  as  if  ve  vas 
in  vant." 


230  Lewey  and  I. 


While  we  were  thus  expressing  our  appreciation  of  the  gentleman's  kind- 
ness another  party  drew  near,  and  we  saw  that  the  new-comer  was  Mr.  Rob- 
inson, whom  we  had  met  many  times  at  Santa  Barbara,  the  same  gentleman 
who  was  at  one  time  supercargo  of  the  ship  Alert  and  brig  Pilgrim.  Mr. 
Dana  did  not  like  him  very  well  for  some  reason,  but  I  had  no  fault  to  find 
with  his  conduct  on  the  coast  toward  sailors,  or  any  one  else,  as  he  seemed 
kind  and  considerate. 

"  Did  you  ever  see  these  young  men  before,  Mr.  Robinson  ? "  Mr. 
Teschemacher  asked,  as  the  former  gentleman  took  a  good  square  look  at 
us. 

"  Not  to  my  knowledge,"  was  the  answer.     "  Who  are  thsy  ?  " 

"  Two  of  Peterson's  boys.  They  were  discharged  at  San  Diego,  and 
now  want  to  marry,  and  grow  up  with  the  country." 

"  What  fools,"  was  the  usual  rejoinder,  and  then  Mr.  Robinson  laughed, 
just  as  though  he  had  said  something  funny,  but  we  did  not  see  anything  to 
be  merry  about.  It  was  rather  serious  business  with  us. 

"Where  do  you  intend  to  stop    tonight?"  asked  the  ex-supercargo. 

We  said  that  we  did  not  know.  We  were  looking  for  a  place  to  rest  and 
refresh  ourselves. 

"  Well,  go  to  that  house  near  the  mission,  and  you  will  find  shelter  for 
the  night.  Tell  the  ranchero  to  charge  the  bill  to  me." 

"  Thanks,"  I  remarked,  "  but  as  my  friend  Lewey  so  forcibly  puts  it  we 
are  not  tramping  beggars  just  at  present." 

At  this  moment  Jack,  who  wanted  his  supper,  and  was  impatient  at  the 
long  conference,  uttered  a  doleful  bark. 

"  Nice  dog  that  of  yours,  boys,"  Mr.  Robinson  said.  "  Will  you  sell 
him?" 

"  No,  sir.     He  is  not  for  sale,"  was  our  prompt  response. 

"  I  will  give  you  five  dollars  for  him,"  the  gentleman  urged,  a  large  sum 
considering  that  every  house  in  Santa  Barbara  had  from  four  to  ten  curs 
lying  about  the  court-yards,  and  yelping  at  all  hours  of  the  night. 

Perhaps  he  thought  our  poverty  could  be  relieved  in  the  way  of  trade, 
but  if  such  was  the  case  he  was  mistaken,  for  Lewey  spoke  hotly  and  in- 
dignantly. 

"  Not  for  five  hundred  dollars  vould  ve  sell  de  dog  vot  has  been  vid  us 
in  trouble  and  in  pleasure,  loves  all  de  same  vot  ve  loves,  him  dot  has  stood 
by  us  ven  ve  vanted  friends,  and  nebber  turned  his  back  on  us  ven  an  en- 
emy appeared.  He  is  part  of  us,  and  in  good  fortune  or  in  bad,  if  ve  has  a 
bone  or  a  crust,  poor  little  Jack  skall  share  it  vid  us,  and  receive  de  biggest 


Lewey  and  I.  231 


part  even  if  ve  is  starvin'.  Dat  is  de  kind  of  boys  ve  is,  vot  has  a  dog  ve 
vill  not  sell  for  money,  nor  love,  nor  friendship.  Five  dollars,"  the  indig- 
nant Lewey  repeated.  "  No,  not  for  five  dousand  vould  ve  take  for  de  ani- 
mile,  and  dat  is  our  answer,  now  and  foreber,  amen." 

The  gentlemen  laughed  at  the  French  lad's  enthusiasm,  but  it  was  not  a 
smiling  matter  for  us,  so  I  nodded  assent  to  Lewey's  impassioned  speech, 
and  believed  all  that  he  uitered,  and  agreed  to  it. 

"How  about  the  horses?"  asked  the  ex -supercargo.  "They  are  nice 
animals,  and  I  will  buy  them  if  you  have  the  power  to  sell." 

"  The  mustangs  are  ours,"  I  answered.  "  We  came  by  them  in  a  fair 
and  honorable  manner,  but  where  we  go  they  will  also  go,  and  no  sum  that  you 
can  offer  will  purchase  them.  The  horses  and  dog  are  the  only  friends  we 
have  in  California,  and  those  we  will  keep  as  long  as  we  have  the  power  to 
claim  them,"  and  off  we  rode,  leaving  the  two  gentlemen  to  speculate  as  to 
the  temper  of  the  boys  they  had  encountered,  lads  who  would  not  sell  what 
they  owned,  a  new  idea  for  California,  where  money  had  its  purchasing 
power  among  all  classes  of  officials. 

We  did  not  notice  the  adobe  house  that  was  pointed  out  to  us,  but  found 
another  where  we  saw  a  ranchero  standing  in  the  doorway,  a  man  whom  we 
had  seen  many  times  on  our  ship,  and  whom  we  had  laughed  and  joked 
with  when  he  brought  hides  to  the  beach  for  the  rich  ranche  owners.  He 
was  glad  to  see  us,  and  offered  to  give  us  some  supper  and  breakfast,  a 
feed  of  barley  for  our  horses,  and  shelter  for  the  night,  all  for  a  small  sum, 
if  we  had  money  enough  to  pay,  if  not  we  were  welcome  to  everything  with- 
out cost. 

We  intimated  that  we  could  find  a  few  spare  dollars,  and  then  piquetted 
our  horses,  fed  them,  had  the  usual  supper,  — tortillas  and  an  olia,  —  and 
after  it  was  finished  strolled  about  the  town,  past  Don  Noriego's  house, 
where  I  saw  his  young  and  handsome  daughter  sitting  on  the  veranda  of 
her  residence,  and  playing  some  soft,  low  notes  on  a  guitar.  I  stood  lean- 
ing on  the  wall  of  the  court-yard,  near  where  I  had  eaten  my  first  dinner  in 
Santa  Barbara,  and  listened  to  her  performance  for  more  than  an  hour,  but 
she  never  noticed  me,  probably  supposing  that  I  was  a  ranchero  visiting 
the  town,  and  attracted  by  the  music,  as  there  were  a  dozen  other  people 
present  as  well  as  Lewey  and  myself,  and  we  attracted  no  attention  in  the 
twilight,  being  in  Mexican  costume,  and  broad  sombreros  drawn  well  over 
our  faces.  We  smoked  two  or  three  pipes  of  tobacco  while  waiting,  and  at 
last  the  moon  came  up,  and  its  silvery  wealth  of  light  shone  on  the  people 
who  were  close  to  the  veranda.  I  noted  the  old  don  and  family,  and  won- 


232  Lewey  and  I. 


dered  if  they  would  recognize  me  if  I  went  forward,  spoke  to  them,  and  told 
them  who  I  was. 

But  I  was  fearful  of  a  repulse,  and  to  be  mortified  in  the  presence  of  a 
beautiful  woman  is  a  terrible  disgrace  in  the  eyes  of  a  boy,  and  so,  with  a 
sigh,  I  turned  away  from  the  court-yard,  and  we  shaped  our  course  toward 
the  beach,  and,  because  I  was  silent  and  reflective.  Lewey  also  assumed  a 
sad  expression,  and  at  last  turned  to  me,  and  asked,  — 

"  Thorn,  mon  bon  ami,  is  you  still  spoons  on  de  gal?  "  just  as  though  I 
was  in  love  with  the  lady  we  had  heard  playing  on  the  guitar,  and  Lewey's 
warm  heart  went  out  of  its  way  to  meet  and  sympathize  with  me  in  my  lone- 
liness. 

-  "  Thorn,"  the  French  boy  asked,  "  does  you  love  her  more  den  you  does 
me?:> 

And  he  put  out  his  hand  in  a  beseeching,  half-timid  manner,  and  there, 
near  the  beach  of  Santa  Barbara,  with  the  full  moon  shining  down  upon  our 
heads,  and  Jack  at  our  feet,  wondering  at  the  quietness  of  our  proceedings, 
we  shook  hands,  looked  into  each  other's  eyes,  and  then,  without  a  word 
being  spoken,  resumed  our  walk,  and  presently  sat  down  on  the  damp  sand, 
and  gazed  at  the  white  surf,  as  it  rolled  and  tumbled  on  the  beach,  and 
roared  mildly  in  a  language  that  we  could  understand,  for  it  told  of  gales  at 
sea,  and  reefed  topsails,  wet  jackets,  and  hard  work. 

While  we  sat  there  the  Sterling's  boat  came  on  shore  for  the  captain,  and 
we  watched  the  boys  as  they  landed  through  the  rollers,  and  contrasted 
their  labor  with  our  own,  when  we  had  the  same  duties  to  perform.  The 
lads  came  toward  us,  but  we  did  not  speak  to  them,  and,  as  they  supposed 
we  were  greasers,  who  could  not  understand  English,  they  paid  no  attention 
to  us,  but  tumbled  around  the  beach,  and  blanked  the  master  for  being  so 
late  in  coming  down  from  the  town. 

But  he  made  his  appearance  at  last,  and  the  boat  was  pulled  through  the 
surf  to  the  ship,  and  then  we  heard  the  men  hoist  the  gig  up,  and  over  the 
water  came  the  ringing,  clear  tones  of  the  bell,  as  it  struck  half-past  nine, 
or  three  bells,  in  nautical  parlance. 

We  strolled  back  to  the  town,  past  the  houses  where  fandangos  were 
flourishing,  to  our  quarters,  saw  that  our  horses  were  resting  quietly,  and 
then  lay  down  on  our  blankets,  and,  with  saddles  for  pillows,  went  to  sleep, 
Jack  nestling  close  to  our  heads,  and  occasionally  dreaming  of  fighting 
mountain  lions  or  coyotes,  but  only  a  sharp  word  was  necessary  to  awaken 
him  to  the  fact  that  he  had  made  a  mistake.  Then  he  would  sigh  to  think 
that  all  was  not  real,  scratch  or  bite  a  flea,  and  go  to  sleep  again,  sometimes 


Lewey  and  I.  233 


snoring  like  a  human  being,  he  was  so  tired  with  his  long  journey  through 
the  day. 

Our  host  returned  from  a  fandango  about  twelve  o'clock,  and  did  us  the 
honor  of  stumbling  over  us  in  his  course  to  a  rude  bed,  where  his  wife  had 
been  slumbering  for  some  hours,  as  he  had  not  thought  it  necessary  to  in- 
vite her  to  accompany  him  on  his  tour  of  pleasure,  acting  like  many  hus- 
bands of  modern  times,  outside  of  California. 

At  sunrise  we  were  aroused,  even  the  sleepy  ranchero  being  stirred  up  by 
the  shrill-voiced  spouse,  who  scolded  in  the  choicest  of  Spanish  for  the 
man's  misdeeds  of  the  night  before,  all  of  which  he  received  with  an  im- 
becile grin,  as  though  long  custom  had  taught  him  the  folly  of  replying  to 
her  sharp  tongue. 

The  lady  was  kind  enough  to  prepare  our  breakfast,  and  then,  as  this 
was  the  last  day  of  our  long  journey,  we  took  a  little  more  pains  with  our 
costumes,  washed  some  of  the  accumulated  dirt  and  dust  from  our  persons, 
put  on  a  fresh  flannel  shirt,  and  at  eight  o'clock  were  ready  for  our  gallop 
to  Ranche  Refugio. 

"  How  much  shall  we  pay  you  for  our  entertainment  ?  "  we  asked  the 
host,  but  the  man  shook  his  head,  and  said,  as  he  glanced  anxiously  toward 
his  partner, — 

"  Not  a  medio.  You  are  welcome,"  and  then  added,  in  a  whisper,  "  The 
wife  is  a  little  loco  this  morning,  because  she  thinks  I  danced  with  the  girls 
last  night.  If  you  desire  to  make  her  a  present  I  shall  have  no  objections. 
Anything  to  keep  peace  in  the  family." 

I  gave  the  woman  a  four-real  piece,  and  she  was  satisfied,  for  her  face 
lost  some  of  its  sternness,  and  she  even  asked  us  to  come  and  remain  an- 
other night  when  we  were  disposed,  a  request  that  her  husband 
seconded. 

We  rode  slowly  down  the  main  street  to  the  beach,  and  took  one  more 
look  at  the  calm,  beautiful  bay,  and  the  roaring  surf.  A  boat  was  on 
shore  from  the  Sterling,  taking  off  hides,  the  men  up  to  their  hips  in  water, 
none  too  warm  at  that  season  of  the  year,  and  we  could  hear  the  sailors 
blank  California  every  time  there  was  an  unusually  large  roller,  which  al- 
most lifted  the  persons  who  held  the  boat's  bow  in  place  off  their  feet. 
This  sounded  so  natural  that  we  could  not  help  snickering,  for  it  reminded 
us  of  other  days,  when  we  performed  the  same  kind  of  work,  and  indulged 
in  the  same  strong  expletives. 

The  sailors  heard  us  laugh,  and  one  of  the  men  said,  with  a  growl  and 
an  oath,  — 


234  Lewey  and  I. 


"  You  bloody  greasers,  we  wish  you  had  to  do  this  job.  Then  you  would 
grin  out  of  the  other  side  of  your  mouths." 

"  Gently  on  the  oaths,  shipmate,"  I  remarked  in  a  quiet  tone.  "  We  did 
that  kind  of  labor  for  most  three  years,  and  had  our  share  of  surf  and 
duckings." 

"  Who  in  the  bloody  thunder  are  you  anyhow  ?  "  the  man  asked,  for  he 
did  not  recollect  our  faces,  although  he  had  seen  us  often  on  board  the  Ad- 
mittance when  the  Sterling  first  came  on  the  coast. 

Our  Mexican  costumes  had  so  changed  our  appearance  that  even  mess- 
mates would  not  have  recognized  us  very  readily.  Besides,  a  little  soft 
down  had  began  to  appear  on  our  upper  lips,  and  we  were  very  particular 
to  cultivate  it  for  all  that  it  was  worth,  as  it  made  us  look  a  little  more  man- 
ly, relieving  us  of  the  green,  boyish  appearance  we  had  assumed  for  so 
many  years. 

As  all  the  shore  party  were  attracted  by  the  conversation,  I  thought  it 
only  right  that  the  sailor  should  have  an  answer,  so  said,  in  a  dignified 
tone, — 

"  This  gentleman,"  pointing  to  Lewey,  "  is  the  governor  of  the  State, 
while  I  am  only  the  commander  of  the  army,  and  have  the  title  of 
general." 

"  It  is  a  blanked  lie,"  roared  the  old  salt.  "  You  are  two  bloody  beach- 
combers, and  run  away  from  some  whale  ship.  I  can  tell  by  the  cut  of  your 
jibs." 

We  thought  it  was  not  worth  while  to  continue  the  conversation  as  we 
were  getting  the  worst  of  it.  The  man  had  not  come  far  from  the  truth, 
so,  with  a  laugh  at  the  sailor's  remark,  we  turned  from  the  hard  sand  of  the 
beach,  and  struck  the  trail  that  led  to  the  ranche,  our  route  being  on  and 
near  the  seashore  the  whole  distance. 

It  was  a  delightful  ride  that  morning,  for  the  ocean  was  on  our  left,  and 
the  coast  range  of  mountains  on  our  right,  and  a  gentle  breeze  from  the 
northwest  ruffled  the  surface  of  the  water,  cool  and  bracing.  A  late  show- 
er had  laid  the  dust,  and  revived  the  drooping  grass  and  flowers.  There 
was  no  mud  to  splash  through,  as  would  have  been  the  case  in  the  early 
part  of  the  wet  season,  when  water  sometimes  falls  in  torrents  for  several 
days. 

We  were  seemingly  all  impatience  to  see  the  girls  for  whose  sakes  we 
had  made  such  sacrifices,  and  wondered  how  they  would  receive  us,  if  with 
joy  or  coldness.  Yet  we  dreaded  to  reach  the  goal  of  our  hopes,  and  soon 
after  passing  Point  Arena  let  our  horses  walk  for  half  an  hour,  each  of  us 


Lewey  and  f.  235 


busy  with  his  own  thoughts.    When  Lewey  looked  up,  and  saw  that  I  was 
watching  his  face,  the  lad  laughed,  and  said,  — 

"  I  dink  de  same  ding  dat  you  does.    Ve  has  been  fools,  and  now  ve 
must  go  on  and  be  bigger  vons,  hey  ?  " 
"  I  still  love  Anita,"  I  sighed. 

"  Dat  is  not  so,  and  you  knows  it,"  was  the  candid  remark.  "  If  you  vas 
von  caballero  grand  you  vould  not  take  de  girl  for  a  vife,  but  look  in  some 
udder  quarter,  vare  you  vould  not  ashamed  be.  Dat  know  I  quite  plain. 
But  ve  has  pledged  our  vord,  and  a  Frenchman  nebber  go  back  on  dat  — 
nebber.  His  honor  is  at  stake." 

"  Especially  when  you  made  love  to  Florencia  at  the  lonely  ranche,"  I 
remarked. 

"  Veil,  dat  vas  von  exception,"  was  the  candid  reply.  "  I  lose  my  head 
dar,  but  now  de  honor  of  a  Frenchman  all  come  back,  and  he  remember  his 
vord  and  his  vows."  Then  he  hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  continued, 
"  But  I  vish  dat  dey  had  uttered  been  nebber,  and  if  de  girls  is  married  cry 
shall  not  I." 

Perhaps  he  expressed  my  sentiments  in  a  measure,  for  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  we  had  not  seen  the  objects  of  our  affection  for  several  months, 
and  a  boy's  love  is  not  supposed  to  last  forever  when  separated  from  the 
one  he  thinks  so  beautiful. 

After  a  while  we  loped  along,  and  by  twelve  o'clock  were  near  the  gulch 
that  led  to  the  ranche,  where  we  had  landed  so  many  times  in  the  surf. 
We  walked  our  horses  up  the  ravine  to  the  house  where  the  pretty  sisters 
resided,  and  with  whom  Lewey  and  I  had  waltzed  one  afternoon.  How  the 
old  days  came  back  to  us  as  we  recognized  familiar  scenes  and  sights.  My 
heart  was  beating  so  strongly  that  I  could  hear  its  motion,  and  felt  nervous 
and  weak,  so  much  so  that  I  dismounted,  and  went  to  the  young  ladies' 
house,  and  asked  for  a  drink  of  water. 

Both  of  the  senoritas  were  at  home,  and  readily  complied  with  my  re- 
quest. Then  they  politely  asked  us  to  partake  of  some  fruit,  and  sent  a 
peon  for  it  when  we  did  not  decline  the  offer.  They  saw  that  we  were 
foreigners  and  travelers,  and  tried  to  make  our  rest  agreeable.  They  did 
not  recognize  us  until  we  made  ourselves  known,  and  then  expressed  aston- 
ishment at  our  being  where  we  were,  as  they  supposed  we  had  arrived  home 
long  ago,  even  if  the  matter  had  been  considered  for  a  moment  by  young 
ladies  who  had  no  special  interest  in  us  or  our  ship. 

We  did  not  inform  the  girls  that  we  were  on  a  matrimonial  errand,  as 
Lewey,  in  his  usual  careful  manner,  thought  that  it  was  just  as  well  not  to, 


236  Lewey  and  I, 


the  beauty  of  the  ladies  beginning  to  make  an  impression  on  his  suscepti- 
ble heart,  and  he  said  that  it  was  always  best  to  have  an  anchor  to  the 
windward,  meaning,  I  suppose,  that  if  we  did  not  find  Anita  and  Engracia 
all  we  desired,  we  could  repudiate  them,  and  fall  back  upon  the  sisters,  in 
the  hope  that  they  might  be  induced  to  smile  on  us,  but  they  were  far  above 
us  in  rank  and  fortune,  and  could  look  higher  in  every  respect  for  a  matri- 
monial  market. 

We  did  not  offer  to  leave  the  house  of  the  pretty  sisters  until  we  had 
controlled  our  agitation.  Then  we  bade  farewell  to  the  senoritas,  mounted 
our  horses,  and  went  to  the  well-remembered  adobe  hut  where  Anita  and 
Engracia  resided.  With  flushed  faces  and  beating  hearts  we  dismounted 
and  approached  the  door,  which  stood  wide  open,  with  a  fire  in  front  of  the 
premises,  and  an  olia  simmering  on  the  coals,  showing  that  dinner  was 
nearly  ready. 

The  noise  we  made  attracted  attention,  and  an  old  woman  came  to  the 
door,  and  looked  at  us  in  wonderment  and  surprise. 

"  Engracia,"  Lewey  asked.  "  Where  is  she  ?  "  and  to  have  judged  by 
the  lad's  face  one  would  have  thought  that  on  his  question  hung  a  matter  of 
life  and  death. 

"  Anita,"  I  said.     "  Tell  me  where  she  is,  and  that  she  is  well." 

Still  the  old  woman  looked  at  us,  and  did  not  answer  a  word.  A  feeling 
of  gloom  took  possession  of  our  minds.  The  girls  were  dead  or  ill,  we 
thought. 

"  Who  are  you? "  the  woman  asked  at  last. 

"  Do  you  not  recollect  us  ?  We  are  the  boys  who  used  to  give  you 
bread  and  tobacco.  The  same  ones  who  made  love  to  your  daughters,  and 
presented  them  with  stockings,  money,  and  other  things,"  we  both  cried 
eagerly. 

The  old  woman  advanced  toward  us  in  a  hurried  manner,  and  a  look  of 
peculiar  determination  on  her  face.  Ah,  she  recognized  us  at  last,  was  all 
ready  to  give  us  a  kind,  mother-in-law  embrace,  and  call  down  blessings 
and  prayers  for  happiness  on  our  heads,  and  we  were  willing  to  fall  upon 
our  knees,  and  receive  the  orisons  that  were  to  ascend  to  heaven  in  our 
behalf. 

"  Mother,"  cried  Lewey,  with  a  sob,  "  for  such  we  must  now  call  you, 
speak  to  us  of  those  we  esteem  so  much.  Let  us  see  them,  so  that  we  can 
feast  our  eyes  on  their  beauty,  and  tell  them  that  we  have  never  ceased  to 
think,  even  for  a  moment,  of  those  we  adore,  and  have  loved  so  many 


Lewey  and  I.  237 


months.  But  now  our  reward  is  to  come,  and  with  joyful  hearts  we  will 
greet  your  beautiful  daughters." 

"  Will  you  ?  "  asked  the  old  woman,  in  a  tone  that  was  intended  to  be 
sarcastic.  "  Ladrones  of  the  devil,  what  sent  you  here  to  an  honest  wo- 
man's house  ?  Get  you  gone,  or  there  will  be  trouble." 

Did  we  hear  aright?  Were  those  peppery  remarks  directed  to  us,  to 
boys  who  had  supplied  the  old  woman  with  pounds  and  pounds  of  pilot 
bread  and  tobacco,  who  had  been  encouraged  to  call  at  all  times,  and  never 
a  word  said  against  our  engagements  ?  No,  there  was  some  mistake,  or 
else  it  was  all  a  dream,  and  we  should  at  last  awaken  from  it,  and  laugh  at 
our  fears  and  strange  fancies. 

"  My  good  madre,"  began  Lewey,  in  a  soothing  tone,  "  you  do  not  recog- 
nize us.  Look  at  us  well,  and  see  your  future  sons-in-law,  who  will  be 
proud  to  labor  for  your  welfare,"  and  then  the  lad  added  in  English,  "  I  kick 
her  de  house  out  de  fust  day  I  is  spliced.  I  nebber  live  vid  her  near  me, 
no  nebber,  by  gar." 

"  Mai  vagabondos,"  the  old  woman  remarked,  "  I  know  both  of  you,  and 
have  heard  enough.  Get  you  gone  from  here,  or  I  '11  scald  the  life  out  of 
your  heretic  carcasses,  as  sure  as  I  have  a  patron  saint." 

"  Veil,  dis  beats  me,"  my  French  friend  said.  "  I  vould  rudder  face  a 
mountain  lion  dan  dat  dreadful  voman  at  any  dime.  Is  dis  de  veddin'  feast 
to  invited  vich  ve  are  ?  " 

I  could  only  look  on,  and  wonder  what  had  changed  the  sentiments  of  the 
mother.  Had  we  come  all  the  way  from  San  Diego  to  listen  to  such  abuse  ? 
To  be  called  thieves  and  vagabonds  ?  To  be  grossly  insulted  by  an  old  hag, 
who  had  eaten  our  bread,  and  smoked  our  tobacco,  and  glad  enough  to  get 
them? 

This  was  putting  our  love  to  a  severe  test,  but  one  thing  I  was  resolved 
upon.  Never  should  that  old  woman  live  in  the  house  with  me  and  mine. 
I  had  heard  enough  of  her  tongue  to  last  a  life  time,  and  what  could  I  ex- 
pect if  she  was  always  near  me  ? 

"  What  shall  we  do  ? "  I  asked  Lewey,  who  was  inclined  to  stand  his 
ground,  like  the  boy  on  the  burning  deck  from  whence  all  had  fled. 

"  I  vill  nebber  run  from  a  voman,"  he  answered.  "  A  Frenchman  is 
brave,  and  can  fight,  but  he  nebber  runs,  no  nebber,"  and  as  he  spoke  the 
woman  raised  an  earthen  jar  from  the  fire,  and  the  way  that  lad  walked 
backward  to  get  out  of  her  reach  was  suggestive  of  a  panic  if  she  had  but 
pursued. 

"  Don't  be  afraid  of  her,  Lewey,"  I  said.     "  She  is  harmless." 


238  Lewey  and  I. 


And  just  as  I  uttered  the  words  the  old  lady  snatched  up  a  burning 
brand,  and  was  about  to  hurl  it  at  my  head,  when  Jack  thought  that  he 
would  take  a  hand,  and  show  what  he  could  do  as  a  peacemaker,  as  he 
feared  some  desperate  assault  was  about  to  be  made  on  his  best  and  most 
loved  friends. 

As  the  senora  raised  the  burning  fagot,  having  dropped  the  vessel  of  hot 
water,  it  being  too  cumbersome  to  use  with  facility,  Jack  supposed  that  an 
attack  was  to  commence  in  earnest.  He  uttered  a  short,  savage  bark,  and 
went  for  her  bare  eet  and  ankles,  and  perhaps  a  little  above  the  latter,  for 
he  must  have  nipped  the  flesh,  as  the  woman  uttered  a  scream  like  that  of 
an  enraged  mountain  lion.  Then  she  gave  a  jump  in  the  air,  and  when  she 
came  down  lost  her  balance  and  sat  on  the  olia  that  was  preparing  for  din- 
ner. It  was  warm  and  liquid,  and  the  soup  must  have  burned  her,  for  she 
clapped  her  hands  to  the  after  part  of  her  thin  and  nearly  the  only  garment 
she  wore,  and  said  some  things  that  should  not  have  been  uttered  by  a 
woman  who  had  prospective  sons-in-law  within  hearing. 

Her  yells  brought  to  the  scene  some  of  the  neighbors,  who  came  to  sym- 
pathize and  console  her,  and,  as  the  people  seemed  to  think  we  were  to 
blame,  Lewey  motioned  to  our  horses,  so  we  mounted  and  rode  swiftly 
away,  not  caring  where  as  long  as  we  were  clear  of  that  woman  and  her 
dreadful  words  and  imprecations. 

When  we  were  out  of  sight  of  the  home  of  our  beloved  girls  we  halted, 
and  looked  at  each  other  in  wonderment. 

"  Veil,"  said  Lewey,  "  ebery  von  has  said  ve  vos  fools,  and  now  vot  does 
dink  you  on  de  subject?  "  a  question  hard  to  answer,  for  we  did  not  know 
what  we  should  do,  or  where  we  should  go  for  even  a  night's  lodging  or  a 
late  dinner.  Our  love  affairs  wore  a  decidedly  gloomy  look,  we  thought, 
and  what  was  to  be  our  next  move  was  a  most  important  question,  and  one 
not  easily  answered.  We  had  suffered  and  endured  privations  for  the  sake 
of  two  dark-eyed  girls,  and  now  we  were  thrown  aside  as  useless  lumbc>r. 
But  we  had  one  satisfaction,  —  we  felt  as  though  our  hearts  were  not  quiie 
broken  even  if  we  were  jilted. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A  MUTUAL  AGREEMENT.  —  AN  OLD  ACQUAINTANCE.  —  THE  RANCHE.  —  A 
FANDANGO,  AND  AN  UNEXPECTED  MEETING,  —  A  GRAND  SURPRISE  TO 
ALL.  —  DON  ANTONIO  SANCHOS  PUTS  IN  AN  APPEARANCE.  —  A  STRUG- 
GLE FOR  LIFE.  —  A  DISAPPOINTED  GREASER.  —  ON  THE  MARCH.  —  A 
SWIFT  EXECUTION.  —  A  LADY'S  GRATITUDE.  —  A  NEW  PROGRAMME.  — 
THE  ESCORT  AND  ENCAMPMENT. 

MY  French  friend's  question  was  an  important  one,  and  I  took  some 
time  to  answer  it.  We  had  not  been  received  in  a  very  hospitable 
manner,  it  was  true,  by  the  mother  of  the  young  girls  we  had  hoped  to 
marry,  and  our  flight  from  the  scene  of  her  home  was  more  like  a  panic  than 
an  orderly  retreat.  We  had  seen  the  old  lady,  and  heard  her  in  tones  we 
could  not  fail  to  understand,  but  had  obtained  no  glimpse  of  the  daughters, 
and  I  wondered  if  they  approved  of  such  conduct  on  the  part  of  their  par- 
ent. We  had  not  found  plain  sailing  thus  far,  and  what  to  do  next  was  a 
question  I  could  not  answer,  but  did  say  in  a  frank  manner,  — 

"Yes,  Lewey,  we  have  made  fools  of  ourselves.  Now  what  shall 
we  do  ? " 

"  I  tells  you,"  he  answered.  "Ve  vill  go  back  tode  pretty  sisters,  and 
makes  love  to  dem." 

Ah,  what  a  boy  he  was  for  resources.  Always  ready  with  some  plan  to 
make  life  happy,  and  never  casting  a  thought  to  the  disagreeable  part.  He 
could  turn  from  one  girl  to  another  without  a  sigh  of  regret  for  the  failure 
of  his  projects,  or  a  thought  of  the  vows  he  had  uttered. 

The  proposition  he  advanced  was  a  tempting  one,  and  I  should  not  have 
hesitated  to  embrace  it,  except  that  my  colder,  northern  blood  convinced 
me  that  the  plan  was  not  a  feasible  one,  for  I  doubted  if  the  young  ladies 
would  be  ready  to  listen  to  the  ardent  protestations  of  two  penniless  young 


240  Lewey  and  I. 


men,  wandering  vagabonds,  as  the  old  woman  had  called  us  in  her  blind 
rage. 

"  But  vot  can  ve  do  ?  "  my  friend  asked,  after  I  had  refused  to  listen  to 
his  advice. 

"  We  can  return  to  Santa  Barbara,  and  ship  on  board  the  Sterling,  or 
some  other  vessel,"  I  said. 

"  Nebber,"  was  the  candid  reply.  "  I  does  no  more  vork  afore  de  mast 
unless  I  is  starvin'.  Somethin'  vill  turn  up  for  us.  You  see  if  speaks  de 
truth  do  not  I." 

And,  as  he  finished  his  indignant  protest,  a  ranchero  hove  in  sight,  lop- 
ing along  a  trail  that  led  toward  the  mountains.  The  Mexican  drew  up 
when  he  saw  two  strangers,  seated  on  horseback,  as  if  undecided  where  to 
go  and  what  to  do,  passed  the  usual  salutations,  and  touched  his 
sombrero. 

"  Buenos  dias,  senors,"  he  said.     "  What  can  I  do  for  you  ?  " 

He  was  a  young  fellow,  not  more  than  twenty  years  of  age,  and  his  face 
seemed  familiar.  We  were  confident  that  we  had  seen  him  before,  but 
where  was  the  question.  All  at  once  I  recollected  the  boy  who  had  es- 
corted us  to  a  fandango  at  San  Luis  Obispo,  when  we  had  been  sent  on 
shore  to  watch  some  hides  at  the  Cave,  while  one-half  of  the  number  was 
stolen  during  our  absence  at  the  dance. 

"  Do  you  not  remember  us  ?  "  I  as*ked ,  as  soon  as  I  was  assured  of  the 
fact  that  we  had  met  before. 

"  No,  senors,  I  think  not,"  was  his  answer. 

We  then  recalled  to  his  mind  the  night  at  the  Cave,  and  the  fandango, 
and  the  young  fellow's  face  showed  that  he  was  pleased  at  seeing  his  old 
friends.  At  the  same  time  I  always  suspected  that  he  had  a  share  in  the 
purloined  queros,  or  at  least  knew  where  they  went,  and  who  took  them. 
But  we  were  willing  to  forgive  him,  as  we  needed  friends,  and  hoped  we 
had  found  one  in  the  person  of  the  ranchero,  whose  name,  he  told  us,  was 
Alberto. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  "  the  y.oung  fellow  asked.  "  You  are  riding 
around  the  country  like  gallant  Mexican  caballeros  while  I  supposed  you 
were  on  board  of  your  ship." 

"  We  came  here  to  be  married,"  Lewey  said,  "  but  the  girls  we  were  to 
wed  have  disappeared,  and  their  mother  gave  us  such  a  warm  reception  that 
we  were  forced  to  cut  and  run  for  it." 

When  we  told  him  the  name  of  the  girls  his  dark  face  and  eyes  were 
lighted  up  with  merriment. 


Ballon 's  Monthly  Magazine.  241 

**  You  did  well  to  escape  with  whole  bones,  for  the  old  woman 
has  the  worst  tongue  of  any  person  at  the  ranche.  Her  daugh- 
ters are  near,  I  know,  for  I  saw  them  a  day  or  two  since  as  I  rode  past  the 
house.  Some  one  has  poisoned  the  mother's  mind  against  you,  for  she 
would  marry  the  girls  to  the  devil  for  the  sake  of  getting  them  off  her 
hands.  No  one  dares  to  take  them  for  fear  of  such  a  mother-in-law,  as  she 
would  command  the  house." 

This  was  not  cheerful  news  to  us,  for  men  do  not  want  wives  who  are 
thrown  at  their  heads  by  ambitious  mothers,  anxious  for  a  good  match  for 
their  daughters.  However,  the  woman  had  offered  to  pitch  at  us  something 
more  ardent  than  a  spouse,  and  we  thought  she  must  be  prejudiced  against 
us,  supposing  we  were  fortune  hunters,  in  search  of  heiresses,  although  the 
passionate  parent  was  not  worth  fifty  dollars,  house  and  all,  and  we  could 
command  more  than  that  sum  in  ready  money. 

"  Come  home  with  me,"  the  young  ranchero  said,  after  the  gravity  of  our 
situation  had  been  explained  to  him.  "  I  have  recently  obtained  a  ranche, 
and  am  stocking  it  with  cattle.  It  is  only  a  mile  or  two  from  here.  I  have 
an  old  Indian  woman  to  cook,  so  you  will  not  starve.  Remain  as  long  as 
you  please.  The  deer  are  abundant,  and  once  in  a  while  a  bear  is  seen. 
Come  with  me,  and  we  will  have  lots  of  fun.  There  is  a  fandango  near 
me  once  a  week,  and  you  will  see  the  girls  at  some  of  them,  I  am  sure." 

This  was  a  fair  and  unexpected  offer,  and  we  readily  accepted  it,  because 
there  was  nothing  better  to  do.  So  we  thanked  the  young  fellow,  and  rode 
along  with  him,  giving  full  details  of  our  adventures  on  the  route  from  San 
Diego,  but  when  we  mentioned  that  we  had  encountered  and  killed  Apaches 
his  wonder  and  admiration  knew  no  bounds.  He  thought  we  were  first- 
class  heroes,  and  deserved  to  be  immortalized  and  made  saints,  for  he  had 
heard  the  most  wonderful  stories  of  the  savage  and  cunning  warriors,  and 
thought  that  no  white  man  could  stand  before  them. 

Then  the  young  ranchero  gave  us  a  full  history  of  himself.  He  had  been 
left  a  fortune  of  five  hundred  dollars  by  an  uncle,  and  with  a  hundred  more 
which  he  had  saved,  bought  a  ranche,  and  a  few  head  of  cattle.  His  haci- 
enda consisted  of  five  thousand  acres  of  good  valley  land,  and  he  could 
have  as  much  more  as  he  desired  for  the  asking.  Lewey  looked  at  me,  and 
winked.  Here,  he  thought,  was  the  chance  we  had  so  long  sought  and  de- 
sired. We  determined  to  enter  into  partnership  with  Alberto,  if  he  would 
take  us,  and  become  cattle  raisers  in  earnest.  But  there  was  time  enough 
to  talk  of  such  matters  after  we  had  seen  the  ranche,  the  stock,  and  its  ac- 
commodations. With  the  Mexican's  knowledge,  and  our  business  tact,  we 


242  Lewey  and  I. 


thought  success  would  be  an  assured  thing.  We  could  hunt  and  fish,  ride 
and  play,  and  do  but  little  work,  except  at  the  season  for  rounding  in  and 
branding.  This  was  the  life  for  us,  and  one  we  had  depicted  many  times. 
If  fortune  crowned  our  efforts,  in  a  few  years  we  could  become  grandees  of 
the  country,  men  whom  captains  and  supercargoes  would  look  up  to  and  re- 
spect for  their  wealth. 

We  found  Alberto's  adobe  house  not  much  in  the  way  of  pretention,  yet 
it  had  two  rooms  and  an  out-building,  where  the  usual  stock  of  odds  and 
ends  had  accumulated,  —  old  saddles,  hides,  fleas,  barley,  tallow  in  quero 
bags,  and  a  hammock  for  the  Indian  woman  to  sleep  in.  The  furniture  in 
the  house  was  composed  of  two  chairs,  home  made,  with  strips  of  hide  for 
seats,  a  rude  bedstead  of  red  wood,  a  rough  table,  some  cheap  prints  of  va- 
rious saints  plastered  on  the  walls,  a  crucifix,  and  four  dogs,  the  latter  dis- 
posed to  resent  Jack's  intrusion,  and  then  suddenly  left  our  animal  to  his 
own  meditations,  when  he  showed  a  disposition  to  lick  the  Mexican's  curs, 
without  waiting  for  the  formality  of  an  introduction. 

Don  Alberto  welcomed  us  to  his  home  with  all  the  grace  and  airs  of  a 
grandee.  He  made  us  at  ease,  helped  us  piquette  our  horses  where  the 
grass  was  freshest,  stirred  up  his  cook  to  get  dinner,  and,  after  we  had 
dined  on  an  olia  that  was  not  so  bad  as  some  we  had  eaten,  mounted  our 
horses,  and  rode  over  the  hacienda,  which  we  found  well  watered  from 
mountain  springs.  The  cattle  looked  fat  and  healthy,  while  there  were 
about  fifty  horses  on  the  place,  which  we  did  not  count  of  much  value,  as 
there  were  more  than  enough  for  every  man,  woman,  and  child  in  California 
scattered  about  the  various  ranches  of  the  State. 

We  were  pleased  with  all  that  we  saw,  and  retired  that  night  with  the 
firm  intention  of  buying  two-thirds  interest  in  the  ranche  if  we  could  come 
to  terms  with  the  owner. 

The  next  day  we  took  our  rifles  and  went  after  deer,  saw  quite  a  number, 
so  that  there  was  no  trouble  in  securing  one  for  immediate  want,  and  that 
evening,  as  we  sat  around  the  fire  and  smoked  our  pipes  and  cigarettes, 
proposed  a  partnership  with  our  host.  He  was  a  little  surprised  at  the 
thought,  as  he  had  not  considered  such  a  project  possible.  We  pointed  out 
how  we  could  be  of  use  in  many  respects,  that  the  stock  might  be  increased, 
and  money  made  in  the  course  of  a  few  years,  if  there  was  no  disease  or 
drought.  We  urged  him  to  name  a  price,  and  he  said  that  he  would  think 
of  the  matter,  and  let  us  know  the  next  day. 

But  the  next  day  came,  and  Don  Alberto  had  not  made  up  his  mind,  like 
all  Mexicans.  He  wanted  more  time  to  think  of  the  project,  and  desired 


Lewey  and  f.  243 


the  advice  of  some  friends.  We  made  no  objections  to  the  delay,  but  went 
on  just  as  though  we  were  interested  in  the  farm.  Lewey  and  I  made  a 
bedstead  _of  some  red  wood,  a  nice  table,  chairs  of  deers'  horns,  kept  the 
larder  well  supplied  with  game,  and  even  gained  the  good  will  of  the  sullen 
Indian  cook,  who  rarely  smiled,  but  seemed  to  be  ever  looking  for  that 
great  liberator  who  was  to  free  the  peons  from  bondage  and  the  hard  toil  of 
the  country. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  for  a  moment  that  we  informed  Don  Alberto  of 
the  fact  of  our  having  some  gold  on  our  persons,  enough  to  buy  an  interest 
in  the  ranche.  We  were  too  well  acquainted  with  the  Mexican  character 
to  do  any  such  thing.  The  fact  would  have  been  noised  abroad,  spread 
from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  some  day  we  might  have  found  a  knife  at  our 
throats,  or  one  in  our  sides,  and  the  belts  of  gold  gone,  never  to  return,  or 
life  either,  for  that  matter. 

No,  we  simply  said  that  a  foreigner  at  Santa  Barbara  would  let  us  have 
all  the  money  we  wanted,  when  the  proper  time  arrived,  and  that  yarn  was 
as  good  as  any,  for  it  left  the  impression  that  we  were  without  money  on 
our  persons,  and  so  escaped  the  avaricious  attentions  of  the  ladrones,  who 
did  no  work,  and  considered  gringos  lawful  plunder. 

In  our  distant  retreat  we  heard  no  word  of  the  war,  or  how  it  was  pro- 
gressing. It  was  a  rare  thing  for  any  one  to  come  near  us,  and  we  did  not 
venture  in  the  direction  of  Ranche  Refugio,  for  fear  the  spiteful  mother 
would  again  give  us  a  piece  of  her  mind.  The  girls  sent  no  word,  and  we 
supposed  they  had  forgotten  us,  and  turned  their  attention  to  men  in  their 
own  class  in  life. 

About  a  week  after  our  arrival  a  neighboring  ranchero  rode  up  one  morn- 
ing, and  said  that  he  was  to  have  a  fandango  at  his  house,  and  wanted  Don 
Alberto  and  his  guests  to  come  over  and  enjoy  the  festivities.  There  were 
to  be  lots  of  pretty  girls,  and  nice  dancers,  and  no  end  of  fun.  We  thought 
it  possible  that  we  might  meet  Anita  and  Engracia  there,  so  said  that  we 
would  go,  but  were  so  much  disappointed  in  the  conduct  of  the  girls  that 
we  really  did  not  care  whether  we  went  or  remained  at  home.  We  consid- 
ered that  they  had  treated  us  badly,  after  all  our  endeavors  to  please 
them. 

At  eight  o'clock  we  started  for  the  house  where  the  fandango  was  to  take 
place.  As  it  was  not  more  than  a  mile  from  our  quarters,  and  the  moon 
was  bright,  we  concluded  to  walk  the  distance  instead  of  riding,  as  was  cus- 
tomary in  the  country. 

As  we  turned  down  the  trail,  we  noticed  a  dozen  or  twenty  mounted  men 


244  Lewey  and  I. 


gallop  along  the  path,  and  disappear  in  the  chapparel  on  one  side  of  the 
road,  but  paid  no  attention  to  them,  as  we  supposed  they  were  some  of  the 
invited  guests,  and  were  crossing  the  country  so  that  they  could  save  time 
and  distance.  To  be  sure  Alberto  said,  — 

"  The  fandango  will  be  a  great  success,  for  all  the  caballeros  for  miles  in 
extent  may  be  there,  to  judge  by  the  horsemen  who  have  gone  on  ahead  of 
us.  I  wonder  who  they  can  be  ?  I  did  not  seem  to  recognize  any  of 
them." 

We  did  not  pay  much  attention  to  his  words,  but  trudged  on,  and  soon 
came  to  the  adobe  building  where  the  dance  was  to  be  held.  It  was  lucky 
we  had  left  Jack  at  the  house,  for  there  were  enough  dogs  present  to  have 
made  him  unhappy,  every  visitor  bringing  one  or  more,  and  they  fought  and 
quarreled  in  a  lively  manner,  and  when  seven  or  eight  had  a  roaring,  com- 
bined fight  the  ends  of  reatas  were  applied  to  all  alike  to  make  them  realize 
that  no  one  was  to  come  to  blows  except  their  masters. 

When  we  entered  the  house  there  were  twenty  men  and  thirty  women  and 
ladies  present.  A  guitar  and  harp  furnished  the  music,  and  already  the  fan- 
dango was  going  on.  We  glanced  around  the  place,  but  did  not  see  the 
girls  we  were  so  anxious  to  meet.  Every  one  received  us  pleasantly,  and 
many  a  bright  eye  was  cast  toward  us,  in  hope  that  we  would  ask  for  a 
waltz.  We  looked  on  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then,  finding  the  room  warm, 
and  the  air  uncomfortable,  went  outside,  and,  as  we  did  so,  saw  some  horse- 
men moving  away  to  the  right  and  left,  in  the  shadow  of  the  trees,  as 
though  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  house  undetected. 

We  wondered,  but  paid  no  attention  to  the  matter,  for  just  then  a  soft 
hand  was  laid  on  my  arm,  and  a  sweet  voice  spoke  my  name.  I  turned,  and 
there  before  me  stood  Anita  and  Engracia,  looking  more  lovely  than  we  had 
ever  seen  them. 

Lewey  held  out  his  arms,  and  pronounced  the  name  of  the  girl  he  had 
professed  to  love  so  deeply,  and  with  a  bound  she  was  enclosed  in  them, 
and  tender  kisses  were  rained  down  on  her  face  and  neck,  and  he  was  call- 
ing her  all  the  little  angels  he  could  think  of  in  English,  French,  and  Span- 
ish, a  jumble  of  everything,  for  he  could  not  speak  fast  enough  to  satisfy 
his  hungry  heart. 

"  Will  you  let  my  sister  be  devoured,  while  I  stand  here  idle  ?  "  asked 
Anita,  for  the  girls'  sudden  appearance  had  deprived  me  of  motion  and 
speech,  and  I  could  only  look  at  her  in  wonder,  and  imagine  I  was 
dreaming. 

But  her  tender  words  recalled  me  to  myself.     I  put  an  arm  around  her 


Lewey  and  I.  245 


waist,  drew  her  gently  to  my  breast,  and  kissed  the  willing  lips  that  were 
raised  for  the  greeting.  For  five  minutes  I  did  not  speak  I  was  so  occupied 
with  looking  at  the  girl's  dark  eyes  and  handsome  face,  but  when  I  found 
my  voice  asked,  — 

"  My  little  dear,  did  you  know  that  we  were  near  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  she  answered  very  softly. 

"  And  you  remained  away  from  us  all  this  time,  although  you  must  have 
known  we  were  anxious  to  see  you  ?  "  I  said  in  a  reproachful  tone. 

"  Do  not  upbraid  us,"  Anita  remarked.  "  If  you  but  knew  how  much  we 
have  suffered  on  your  account  you  would  forgive  us." 

"  Tell  me  all,"  I  said,  as  I  kissed  the  lips  that  were  so  near  my  own,  and 
glanced  toward  the  French  lad  to  see  if  he  was  similarly  inclined,  and  it  is 
useless  to  say  that  he  was  too  busy  to  pay  the  slightest  attention  to  me  or 
the  girl  I  held  in  my  arms. 

Anita  hesitated  for  a  moment,  as  though  to  recall  the  past,  and  said,  — 

"  Some  days  since  a  strange  man  called  at  the  house,  and  had  a  long  con- 
versation with  our  mother.  He  went  away,  and  we  did  not  see  him  again, 
but  a  few  hours  after  he  had  departed  the  good  priest  of  the  parish  came  to 
the  place,  heard  our  confessions,  and  then  talked  with  our  parent.  We  do 
not  know  what  he  said,  but  after  the  holy  father  had  gone  we  were  told  that 
you  were  vagabonds,  ladrones,  and  no  better  than  runaway  sailors,  unable 
to  support  wives,  or  to  be  true  to  them,  and,  oh,  worse  than  all,  you  were 
denounced  as  heretics,  and  a  curse  and  excomunion  were  threatened  us 
if  we  dared  to  listen  to  you,  or  speak  with  you  again.  It  was  frightful,  was 
it  not  ?  " 

I  thought  that  it  was,  at  the  same  time  I  did  not  blame  the  padre,  for  he 
was  right  in  looking  alter  the  welfare  of  his  flock,  and  seeing  that  no  harm 
came  to  its  members  if  he  could  prevent  it. 

"  We  were  told  that  you  and  your  friend  were  on  the  way  to  the  ranche," 
Anita  continued,  "but  that  it  was  probable  you  would  never  live  to 
arrive." 

I  thought  of  the  encounter  on  the  mountain  top,  and  saw  that  a  trap  had 
been  laid  for  us,  but  by  whom  I  could  not  just  divine. 

"For  several  days,"  the  little  girl  went  on,  "our  mother  kept  a  strict 
watch  on  the  trail  that  led  to  Santa  Barbara,  while  we  were  imprisoned  in  a 
room  in  the  house,  and  told  not  to  stir  from  the  premises,  and  when  you 
were  discovered  approaching  our  mother  alone  received  you." 

"  I  should  think  she  did,"  I  remarked.  "  I  remember  the  reception  very 
well." 


246  Lewey  and  I. 


"  We  did  not  dare  to  speak  to  you,  and  say  that  we  were  near  and  true," 
the  little  girl  continued,  "  but  it  was  very  painful  to  hear  you  called  all  man- 
ner of  hard  names,  and  when  mother  fell  into  the  pot  containing  the  olia 
you  did  not  laugh,  did  you,  dear  ?  " 

"  No,  love,  but  we  desired  to." 

"  Well,  she  says  that  you  did,  and  that  made  her  more  angry  than  any- 
thing else.  Mother  has  a  sharp  tongue  and  a  bad  one,  so  you  can  imagine 
what  we  had  to  endure  after  you  were  gone." 

"  Can  you  describe  the  man  who  came  to  your  house  and  warned  your 
mother  and  the  priest  against  us  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Yes,  I  think  that  I  can.  He  was  an  evil-looking  person,  tall  and  thin, 
and  on  his  right  hand  was  a  vivid  scar.  I  remember  it  well,  for  when  he 
smiled  he  rubbed  it  with  his  left  fingers.  His  frown  was  more  agreeable 
than  a  smile.  I  hated  him  the  moment  I  saw  him,  for  his  presence  was 
evil." 

I  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  the  portrait.  It  was  that  of  Don  Anto- 
nio Sanchos,  whom  we  supposed  we  had  got  rid  of  forever.  But  it  seemed 
not.  He  had  laid  a  little  trap  on  the  mountains,  and  it  fell  through,  and 
one  of  his  gang  had  got  badly  bitten  by  a  ball  from  my  rifle,  while  the  rest 
fled  at  the  approach  of  the  cavalry.  Sanchos  had  sought  to  destroy  us  by 
an  easy  method,  but  for  fear  of  some  miscarriage  of  his  plans  had  hurried 
on  to  Ranche  Refugio,  and  warned  the  mother  and  the  priest  of  our  com 
ing,  poisoned  their  minds,  and  thus  defeated  a  happy  reunion. 

"  Anita,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  the  girl  had  concluded  her  story,  "  the  man 
who  visited  your  mother  is  our  most  determined  enemy.  He  has  perse 
cuted  us  several  times  during  the  last  few  months,  but  we  have  thus  far  de 
feated  him.  He  now  takes  a  mean  revenge  by  seeking  to  separate  us.  Do 
you  think  we  could  change  your  mother's  will  by  calling  on  her  and  ex- 
plaining our  honorable  intentions  in  regard  to  yourselves  ?  " 

"  No,"  answered  the  girl  quite  promptly.  "  She  hates,  and  would  not 
hesitate  to  scald  you  if  there  was  hot  water  on  the  fire  at  the  time  you 
appeared." 

I  shuddered  as  I  imagined  such  a  woman  for  a  mother-in-law.  I  thought 
I  loved  the  daughter,  but  did  not  like  hot  water,  so  resolved  to  give  the  old 
lady  a  wide  berth,  and  not  cross  her  hawse  if  I  could  prevent  it. 

"  If  I  should  see  the  priest,  Anita,  do  you  think  he  would  listen  to  me  ? " 
I  asked. 

The  little  girl  shook  her  head,  as  she  nestled  still  closer  to  me,  and  put  up 
her  lips  for  some  more  kisses,  as  though  she  was  hungry  for  them. 


Lewey  and  /. 


"He  says  that  you  are  a  cursed  heretic,"  she  whispered,  "and,  oh,  I  wish 
you  were  not." 

"  But  my  friend  Lewey  is  a  Catholic,"  I  remarked.  "  The  priest  can 
have  no  objection  to  him." 

"  Yes,  he  says  that  the  Frenchman  is  worse  than  the  Yankee,  because 
while  the  latter  has  no  particular  religion  the  former  pretends  to  believe  in 
the  saints,  yet  never  calls  upon  them,  goes  not  to  confession,  and  eats  meat 
Fridays  like  a  sinner.  Is  he  as  bad  as  all  that  ?  " 

Now  here  was  an  excellent  chance  to  follow  the  example  of  the  world 
and  blast  the  reputation  of  a  friend,  but  I  did  nothing  of  the  kind,  for  al- 
though Lewey  was  far  from  being  a  pious  young  man  he  was  not  as  bad  as 
some  people  would  have  believed  him  to  be. 

"  My  friend,"  I  said,  "  eats  meat  on  Friday  because  he  does  not  keep  the 
run  of  the  days.  He  has  not  confessed  for  the  simple  reason  that  priests 
are  scarce,  and  time  is  too  precious  for  him  to  hunt  them  up.  After  he  is 
married  you  will  be  surprised  at  his  goodness." 

"  I  hope  I  shall,"  she  sighed.  "  If  you  had  only  half  of  his  religion  I 
should  be  satisfied." 

I  did  not  feel  complimented,  and  was  about  to  declare  that  I  was  a  model 
of  goodness,  when  the  faint  blast  of  a  trumpet  was  heard  in  the  woods  at 
the  rear  of  the  adobe  house,  and  then  a  dozen  horsemen  showed  them- 
selves, and  seemed  to  hold  a  conference.  I  thought  it  strange  that  the 
rancheros  should  act  in  such  a  mysterious  manner,  but  supposed  it  was  a 
peculiar  method  they  had  of  enjoying  themselves,  and  surprising  their 
friends.  The  dance  was  going  on  in  full  force,  and  no  one  paid  any  atten- 
tion to  the  bugle  call,  even  Engracia  and  Lewey  not  noticing  it,  but  it 
might  have  been  because  they  were  so  occupied  with  their  own  affairs, 
much  more  interesting  than  the  galloping  of  horsemen. 

"  Before  I  can  marry  you,"  Anita  whispered,  "you  must  become  a  good 
Catholic.  Will  you  do  so  ?  " 

"  Even  if  I  consent,  my  dear,  the  priest  will  not  bless  our  union,"  I  re- 
marked. "  What  shall  we  do  in  that  case  ?  " 

For  a  moment  she  dropped  her  head,  and  appeared  to  think  of  the  mat- 
ter, then  looked  up  with  love  and  confidence  beaming  from  her  dark  eyes 
and  blushing  face. 

"If  the  good  father  will  not  bless  us,  then  take  me  as  I  am,  without  his 
sanction,"  she  cried,  and  put  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  tears  fell  from 
her  eyes  as  she  thought  of  the  deep  significance  of  her  words. 

"  Do  you  intend  it,  Anita  ?  "  I  asked,  for  I  knew  that  it  meant  ostracism 


248  Lewey  and  I. 


from  her  church  and  home,  from  relatives  and  friends,  a  moral  death  for  one 
so  young,  and  all  for  love  of  a  gringo. 

"  I  mean  all  that  I  say,"  was  the  firm  reply.  "  Take  me  when  you  will, 
and  let  us  hope  that  the  saints  will  pardon  us,  and  the  good  father  act  just- 
ly when  he  sees  that  we  are  firm  in  our  loves." 

This  was  a  denouement  that  I  had  not  expected  in  so  sudden  a  manner. 
I  liked  the  girl  and  was  willing  to  marry  her,  but  I  did  not  wish  to  subject 
her  to  unjust  remarks  and  suspicions,  or  cause  her  a  moment's  unhappiness. 
No  wonder  I  hesitated,  and  considered  what  I  should  do,  but  my  thoughts 
were  interrupted  by  Lewey  exclaiming  in  a  tone  of  triumph,  — 

"  Thorn,  old  boy,  love  has  conquered  at  last,  as  it  alvays  vill  ven  urged  by 
firmness  and  sincerity.  Engracia  has  said  she  come  to  me  vill  vidout  de 
blessin'  of  de  holy  fadder.  Thus  is  my  long  and  steady  devotion  revarded 
to  be." 

To  have  heard  his  rapturous  exclamations  one  would  have  supposed  he 
was  a  lover  whose  constancy  had  never  been  questioned,  or  whose  thoughts 
had  remained  true  to  the  one  object  of  his  adoration. 

Before  I  could  answer  the  young  man  there  was  another  faint  blast  from 
a  bugle,  this  time  in  front  of  the  building,  and  a  trumpet  in  the  rear  of  us 
repeated  the  note.  Then  we  saw  horsemen  closing  in  around  the  house, 
and  by  the  moonlight  we  judged  there  were  twenty  or  more  caballeros  near 
us. 

Anita  and  Engracia  caught  the  sounds,  looked  up,  and  then  exclaimed 
hastily,  — 

"Enter  the  house,  in  the  name  of  the  saints.  Oh,  what  is  there  in 
store  for  us  at  the  present  time  ?  " 

A  lively  fandango  was  going  on,  and  we  could  see  the  performers  posing 
and  moving  to  the  sounds  of  the  guitar  and  harp.  No  one  was  outside  ex- 
cept our  own  party.  The  dogs  uttered  some  unmelodious  sounds  in  re- 
sponse to  the  trumpets,  but  as  they  were  always  yelping  no  one  paid  any 
attention  to  them. 

The  girls  dragged  us  into  the  house,  and  before  we  asked  for  an  expla- 
nation we  could  hear  the  military  command  of,  — 

"  Halt.     Let  no  one  pass.     Shoot  all  who  attempt  to  escape." 

The  words  were  uttered  so  loud  that  even  the  dancers  heard  them,  and 
suspended  their  gyrations,  while  the  musicians'  fingers  no  longer  struck  the 
strings  of  their  instruments.  The  Mexicans  looked  at  each  other  in  sur- 
prise, while  the  women  gathered  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  and  showed  a 
disposition  to  give  us  the  usual  specimen  of  female  hysterics,  All  but  An- 


Lewey  and  I.  249 


ita  and  Engracia.  They  remained  by  our  sides,  and  seemed  calm  in  com- 
parison with  the  rest  of  their  sex. 

We  heard  the  clank  of  sabres,  and  the  clinking  of  carbine  locks,  as 
though  guns  were  got  ready  for  execution,  and  in  a  minute  more  three  men 
entered  the  room,  and  it  needed  no  second  glance  to  recognize  two  of  them 
as  Don  Antonio  Sanchos  and  his  brother  Carlos,  while  the  third  was  an  of- 
ficer of  the  Mexican  cavalry,  dressed  in  uniform,  and  rather  a  good-looking 
young  fellow.  We  imagined  that  we  had  seen  him  before,  at  Monterey, 
when  we  gave  an  exhibition  before  the  elite  of  the  town. 

"  Let  no  one  attempt  to  escape,"  cried  the  elder  Sanchos.  "  The  door  is 
guarded,  and  the  man  who  crosses  the  threshold  without  consent  will  surely 
die." 

The  women  uttered  shrill  screams,  and  the  men  looked  at  each  other  in 
wonderment,  and  felt  for  the  long  knives  in  their  leggings  and  sashes. 
Sanchos  noticed  the  movement,  and  said,  — 

"  The  ranchero  who  draws  a  cuchillo,  and  attempts  to  use  it,  dies  like  a 
dog.  Keep  your  hands  quiet.  We  come  here  in  the  name  of  the  law." 

The  Mexican  officer  leaned  on  his  sabre,  and  looked  on.  He  did  not 
speak,  or  appear  to  appreciate  the  part  he  was  playing. 

"  Enganchadors,"  was  heard  all  over  the  room,  and  it  seemed  as  if 
Sanchos  was  not  regarded  with  favor  by  the  rancheros. 

"  No,  we  are  not  enganchados,"  Don  Antonio  said.  "  We  are  not  crimps, 
as  you  call  us,  but  Mexicans,  loyal  to  our  country  and  State,  and  anxious 
for  its  welfare.  We  have  the  warrant  of  General  Castro  for  the  enrollment 
of  men  for  military  duty,  and  we  now  call  for  volunteers.  Monterey  is  in 
danger.  The  heretic  Fremont,  and  his  band  of  robbers,  is  on  the  way  from 
the  Sacramento  River  to  the  town  of  our  devotion.  He  must  be  driven 
back,  or  captured.  To  do  this  we  need  brave  men.  No  others  are  wanted. 
I  will  now  enroll  the  names  of  all  who  wish  to  serve  the  State.  Let  each 
man  step  forward  who  desires  to  volunteer." 

Not  one  moved.  f  They  did  not  see  the  fun  of  leaving  their  ranches,  and 
fighting  for  a  State  government  that  paid  no  money  for  services. 

"  Come,"  grinned  Sanchos.  "Who  speaks  first?  Who  desires  the  hon- 
or of  being  the  premier  volunteer?  What,  no  one  comes  forward  ?  In  a 
few  minutes  I  shall  select  those  I  want,  and  when  I  name  a  man  he  will  go. 
Think  of  promotion,  and  glory  to  be  gained  in  conquering  the  gringos." 

The  rancheros  were  not  impressed  with  the  scoundrel's  eloquence.  The 
gringos  might  go  to  blazes  for  all  that  they  cared.  They  did  not  want  any 
of  the  fight  that  was  going  on. 


250  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Perhaps  these  young  men  will  volunteer  ? "  Don  Sanchos  asked,  and 
then  turned  full  upon  us,  and  his  smile  was  not  sweet.  "  I  know  they  an- 
ticipate a  life  of  happiness  and  ease  as  husbands  of  the  girls  whose  hands 
they  hold,  but  let  them  think  how  much  more  pleasant  it  will  be  for  their 
prospects  when  they  return  to  this  place  all  covered  with  glory  and  honor. 
Shall  I  have  the  happiness  of  taking  your  names,  muchachos  ?  "  and  the 
fellow  gave  us  a  look  that  did  not  betoken  a  friendly  feeling. 

"  No,"  answered  Lewey,  "  we  have  no  desire  to  fight  against  the  United 
States.  We  shall  remain  here." 

"  I  think  not.    You  will  go  with  us,"  was  the  stern  reply. 

"  Do  you  dare  to  force  a  Frenchman  and  an  American  into  your  army?  " 
Lewey  asked,  forgetting  that  we  had  registered. 

"  We  dare  to  take  any  one  who  has  signed  a  matriculador.  You  are  sub- 
jects of  Mexico,  having  thrown  off  your  allegiance  to  France  and  the 
United  States.  You  were  allowed  a  month's  notice  before  being  drafted  in 
the  army.  That  month  has  nearly  passed.  Tonight  you  go  with  us,  and 
tomorrow  you  will  be  on  the  way  to  Monterey.  You  have  baffled  me  once 
or  twice,  but  now  my  time  has  come.  I  coaxed  the  mother  of  the  girls  to 
let  them  visit  this  fandango,  for  I  knew  you  were  near  here,  and  would 
probably  attend.  Fools,  did  you  think  that  I  was  asleep,  or  had  forgotten 
the  indignities  heaped  upon  me?  There  was  only  one  thing  I  feared,  and 
that  was  you  might  be  induced  to  ship  on  board  of  some  vessel  as  you  have 
been  advised  to  do.  Then  I  might  have  lost  you  and  my  revenge.  But 
love  drove  you  here.  I  had  prepared  the  way  for  your  arrival.  The  re- 
ception was  a  warm  one,  was  it  not  ?  I  should  like  to  have  witnessed  it. 
You  gringo  dogs,  my  hour  of  triumph  has  arrived.  Every  one  in  this 
room  might  escape,  but  you  I  shall  hold  on  to." 

"  You  will  believe  us,"  Engracia  cried,  as  she  clung  to  Lewey,  "  that  we 
had  no  hand  in  this  plot.  We  did  not  know  that  you  were  to  be  here,  and 
were  surprised  when  our  madre  told  us  we  might  venture  to  the  dance. 
This  is  the  man  who  visited  our  mother,  and  poisoned  Jier  mind,  and  that 
of  the  good  priest.  To  him  are  we  indebted  for  all  of  our  misfortunes,  for 
all  of  the  unhappiness  that  has  befallen  us.  Spy  of  the  devil,  we  hope  you 
will  be  punished  some  day  for  your  crimes." 

The  man  bowed,  as  if  complimented.  If  we  had  been  armed  we  might 
have  defied  him,  but  our  pistols  and  rifles  were  at  the  ranche,  and  we  were 
powerless  to  do  our  will  on  the  dark-faced  scoundrel. 

"Shame  on  a  government  that  employs  such  men,"  cried  a  voice,  but  the 
other  rancheros  present  were  cowed,  and  did  not  dare  to  express  their 


Lewey  and  /.  251 


minds.  Each  wanted  to  escape  military  duty  if  possible  regardless  of  the 
others. 

"  Once  more,  will  you  sign  for  service  ? "  demanded  Sanchos. 

"  No,  we  '11  see  you  blanked  first,"  shouted  Lewey,  and  took  a  step  to- 
ward our  persecutor,  Engracia  clinging  to  him. 

The  pimp  and  spy  raised  one  of  his  hands  as  a  signal,  and  through  the 
open  door  flew  a  reata.  It  encircled  the  French  lad's  head  and  arms,  and 
in  an  instant  he  was  prostrate  on  the  floor,  struggling  and  powerless.  But, 
oh,  the  profusion  of  words  he  uttered  in  his  native  tongue,  Spanish,  and 
English,  was  enough  to  shock  the  sensibilities  of  an  old  salt,  had  he  been 
present  to  have  heard  them. 

I  broke  from  the  embrace  of  Anita,  who  strove  to  hold  me  back,  and 
rushed  to  my  friend's  assistance,  and  as  I  did  so  I  heard  a  number  of 
voices  shout,  — 

"  Quedo,"  or  "  take  care,"  but  paid  no  attention  to  them.  I  saw  that 
Lewey  was  a  prisoner,  and  knew  that  I  should  do  what  I  could  to  release 
him,  or  share  his  fate. 

Before  I  could  gain  his  side  another  lariat  flew  through  the  air,  dropped 
over  my  head,  and  I  was  jerked  to  the  floor,  a  prisoner,  pinioned  so  secure- 
ly that  I  could  not  move  my  arms,  although  my  feet  were  free,  and  I  kicked 
at  Sanchos'  shins,  and  did  him  some  damage,  I  hope,  for  he  stooped  down 
and  rubbed  them,  and  blanked  me  in  choice  Spanish  for  the  pain  I  caused 
him. 

Anita  and  Engracia  knelt  by  our  sides,  and  tried  to  tear  the  reatas  from 
our  persons,  but  they  made  no  progress  in  the  undertaking,  while  Don 
Sanchos  smiled  at  the  girls  for  their  devotion.  The  Mexican  military  gen- 
tleman lighted  a  cigarette,  and  looked  as  though  rather  amused  at  the  sight 
before  him.  It  was  something  novel,  to  say  the  least,  or  perhaps  reminded 
him  of  the  method  of  impressing  the  Indians  when  wanted  for  some 
drudgery,  such  as  clearing  the  roads,  or  pulling  guns  through  the  mud. 

"  Listen  to  me,"  said  Sanchos,  as  soon  as  the  confusion  had  subsided. 
"  As  sospechosos  I  can  doom  you  to  an  instant  death.  I  have  that  power. 
But  I  want  you,  for  my  own  purposes,  to  serve  against  the  United  States. 
That  shall  complete  my  revenge,  and  benefit  Mexico  at  the  same  time. 
Will  you  do  so?" 

"  See  you  blanked  first,"  was  our  ready  answer.  "  Do  your  worst,  you 
black-faced  son  of  a  sea-cook." 

He  understood  English  enough  to  know  that  we  had  refused  his  offer. 
He  motioned  with  his  hand,  and  a  greaser  entered  the  room,  bearing  a  re- 


252  Lewey  and  L 


ata  made  from  the  tails  and  manes  of  horses.  It  was  rough  and  strong.  A 
knot  was  formed,  and  thrown  over  my  neck.  Another  Mexican  stepped 
forward  with  a  similar  rope,  and  placed  it  around  my  friend's  windpipe,  and 
then  the  blood  of  the  French  lad  showed  its  fiery  heat. 

"  Ladrones  and  perros,"  he  said,  "do  you  know  that  this  rope  feels  un- 
comfortable? That  a  woman's  arm  is  to  be  preferred  to  a  reata  ?  Unbind 
my  limbs  and  I  will  agree  to  fight  any  three  of  you  greasers  all  at  once,  or 
first  one  and  then  the  other." 

He  spoke  in  Spanish  so  that  all  could  understand  him.  The  Mexican 
officer  smiled,  and  lighted  a  fresh  cigarette.  He  was  taking  matters  coolly, 
at  all  events. 

"  Tighten  the  ropes,'*  said  Sanchos,  and,  by  Jove,  they  did,  and  the  feel- 
ing was  not  comfortable,  for  the  rough  reatas  cut  into  our  flesh,  and  breath- 
ing became  difficult.  Anita  and  Engracia  were  on  their  knees  beside  us, 
uttering  the  most  doleful  of  cries,  and  wringing  their  hands. 

"  Will  you  sign  ? "  shouted  Sanchos,  watching  the  strain  of  the 
reatas. 

We  were  nearly  insensible,  and  made  a  movement  of  assent. 

"  Loosen  the  ropes,"  was  the  order,  and  we  felt  them  taken  from  our 
necks.  We  were  some  minutes  in  recovering  our  respiration,  and  then 
Lewey  said  in  English,  — 

"  Country  is  all  veil  enough,  I  s'pose,  but  I  is  too  young  to  die  vid  many 
sins  on  my  head,  and  some  day  ve  skall  get  a  crack  at  dat  greaser,  and,  oh, 
von't  ve  make  him  jump  if  ve  does.  Ve  vill  sign,  and  don't  you  be  afeared. 
Ve  skall  not  hurt  de  Americans  by  all  de  fightin'  dat  ve  does.  You  jist  be 
governed  by  me  in  dis  ding,  and  ve  comes  out  all  right.  Besides,  vot  kind 
of  husbands  vould  two  cold  dead  mens  make  ?  No  girls  have  us  vould. 
Dey  like  live  husbands,  and  blame  them  not  I.  Yes,  ve  vill  sign  anyding 
dat  dey  vants  us  to,  and  I  vish  I  vas  on  board  de  old  ship  vonce  more." 

"Are  you  satisfied?"  asked  Sanchos,  as  soon  as  we  were  able  to  look 
around. 

"  Yes,  we  are  satisfied  that  you  can  strangle  us.  What  more  do  you 
want  ?  "  we  demanded. 

"  Your  signatures  to  this  paper.  I  know  that  you  can  write.  Sign,"  and 
he  ordered  our  arms  to  be  released,  and  thrust  a  pen  into  our  hands. 

We  did  not  stop  to  read  the  whole  document.  We  saw  that  it  was  an  en- 
rollment in  the  service  of  the  State  of  California  for  the  space  of  five  years, 
unless  sooner  discharged,  subject  to  all  the  pains  of  military  discipline. 
That  was  enough  for  us.  We  signed,  and  the  instant  we  had  done  so  the 


Lewey  and  I.  253 

Mexican  officer  stepped  forward,  and  told  us  to  hold  up  our  right  hands. 
There  was  nothing  to  do  but  comply.  He  mumbled  over  some  words,  and 
then  we  were  soldiers  of  Mexico,  and  the  next  instant  Anita  and  Engracia 
were  in  our  arms. 

"  Tear  the  fools  apart,"  yelled  Don  Antonio.  "  The  Mexican  soldier  has 
other  business  beside  love-making." 

Two  men  started  to  comply  with  the  order.  Then  the  Mexican  officer 
came  forward,  sabre  in  his  hand. 

"  Let  the  lovers  alone,"  he  said.  "  It  is  but  a  short  time  they  will  have 
for  such  trifling.  They  surely  can  enjoy  themselves  while  they  have  the 
chance." 

"  But  I  order  them  to  be  separated,"  Sanrhos  thundered,  "and  my  word 
is  law  here." 

"  Not  quite,"  was  the  answer.  "  The  men  are  now  soldiers  of  Mexico, 
and  as  such  they  will  obey  me,  not  you.  Your  power  ceased  when  they 
passed  from  civil  life  to  that  of  a  military  career.  Now  the  men  are  under 
my  charge.  Interfere  with  them  at  your  peril." 

Don  Sanchos  turned  on  the  young  officer  as  if  to  assault  him,  but  the 
military  man  raised  his  sabre,  and  it  would  have  fallen  on  the  head  of  the 
scoundrel  if  he  had  advanced  a  step. 

"  I  shall  report  you  to  General  Castro,"  Sanchos  muttered.  "  He  will  see 
that  you  are  punished  for  daring  to  defy  me." 

"  Caramba,  you  must  suit  yourself  in  that  respect.  I  know  my  duty  and 
you  do  not.  I  am  no  enganchador,  or  pimp,  like  you,"  and  the  young  fellow 
showed  the  contempt  that  he  felt  for  the  man  who  had  caused  him  such  dis- 
agreeable duty.  Then  he  turned  to  us,  and  said,  — 

"  I  recognize  both  of  you  young  men.  I  was  in  Monterey  the  night  you 
gave  the  exhibition.  Diablo,  how  much  I  did  laugh.  I  was  told  that  you 
were  matriculadors,  and  liable  to  serve .  in  the  army.  Had  I  known  all  I 
would  have  remained  away,  and  let  you  enjoy  the  company  of  the  girls 
until  you  tired  of  them.  Don  Sanchos  seems  to  have  some  spite  against 
you.  The  best  way  to  defeat  it,  and  set  him  at  defiance,  is  to  go  with  me. 
I  am  a  captain  in  the  army,  and  you  shall  serve  in  my  company.  I  promise 
you  kind  treatment,  and  plenty  of  work.  Had  you  not  signed  that  con- 
founded matriculador  I  would  let  you  go  free.  But  it  is  too  late.  You 
must  make  the  best  of  it,  and  be  faithful  to  Mexico.  Long  life  to  the  re- 
public, and  confusion  to  its  enemies." 

No  one  took  up  the  cry  and  repeated  it.  The  captain  said  that  his  name 
was  Fernando,  and  that  he  was  endeavoring  to  fill  up  his  company,  and 


254  Lewey  and  I. 


should  repair  to  Monterey  as  soon  as  possible  to  meet  an  expected  attack 
by  Fremont,  his  trappers  and  Indians. 

"  I  know  you  have  been  sailors,"  the  captain  said,  while  Sanchos  stood 
glowering  at  us,  "  for  I  have  seen  you  on  ship  board  many  times  while  on 
the  coast.  You  can  ride  quite  fairly,  but  before  you  have  been  in  the  caval- 
ry a  year  you  will  sit  your  horses  like  real  rancheros.  I  noticed  you  in 
Santa  Barbara  the  other  day.  You  were  well  mounted,  and  looked  like 
brave  young  fellows.  I  hope  you  will  prove  so.  Serve  the  State  faithfully, 
and  when  the  war  is  over  come  here  and  marry  the  girls,  and  with  them  you 
can  receive  a  grant  of  land  that  it  will  take  you  all  day  to  ride  over." 

"  Can  we  marry  before  we  are  forced  to  march  ?  "  I  demanded. 

"  No.  I  want  no  new  bridegrooms  in  my  company.  All  thoughts  of  love 
must  be  thrown  aside  until  the  war  is  over." 

The  girls  uttered  a  loud,  wailing  cry  as  they  heard  the  command,  and 
saw  that  their  anticipated  happiness  was  to  be  postponed  to  some  indefinite 
period. 

"  I  knows  lots  of  girls  in  Monterey,"  Lewey  whispered.  "  It  von't  be  so 
bad  as  it  seems.  As  soldiers  of  Mexico  dey  vill  smile  on  us  much  more 
den  eber." 

No  misfortune  dampened  that  boy's  courage  or  anticipations.  He  was 
always  looking  forward  to  something  bright  and  pleasant,  and  did  not  pro- 
pose to  die  with  a  broken  heart,  if  he  could  help  it.  The  girls  would  not 
have  felt  flattered  had  they  understood  my  friend's  comments  on  the  situa- 
tion, but  luckily  he  spoke  in  English,  so  they  were  ignorant  of  his 
Aeaning. 

"  It  is  useless  to  keep  up  that  howling,"  the  captain  remarked,  as  the 
girls  stopped  their  cries  to  take  breath,  and  then  began  again.  "  Go  out- 
doors and  do  your  spooning  there.  We  have  some  serious  work  to  do  here 
yet." 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  to  trust  us  so  far  away  from  your  presence  ? "  I 
asked. 

"  No,  for  the  place  is  surrounded  by  my  men,  and  any  attempt  to  escape 
would  be  disastrous  to  you.  Give  me  your  word  that  you  will  report  here 
tomorrow  morning,  with  your  horses  and  equipments,  and  you  may  see  the 
girls  home,  and  take  a  long  farewell  of  them." 

We  looked  at  Don  Sanchos  and  his  brother  Carlos,  and  the  captain  un- 
derstood the  meaning  of  the  glances. 

"  You  need  not  fear  the  enganchadors,"  the  officer  said,  in  a  careless 
tone.  "  I  shall  keep  them  with  me.  The  person  who  dares  to  raise  a  hand 


Leivey  and  I.  255 


against  a  regular  Mexican  soldier  would  have  but  a  few  days  to  live.  Do 
you  promise  ?  " 

"  Yes,  senor,  we  promise,"  was  our  ready  answer,  for  we  saw  that  Don 
Antonio  did  not  approve  of  the  project,  and  we  wanted  to  annoy  him. 

"  Sergeant,  pass  these  men  and  the  girls  outside  of  the  line.  Let  them  go 
where  they  please,  and  see  that  they  are  not  annoyed,"  was  the  captain's 
command,  but  just  as  we  were  leaving  the  room  our  friend  Alberto  rushed 
forward. 

"  You  will  release  me,  senor  captain  ?  "  he  cried.  "  To  serve  in  the  army 
might  ruin  me.  My  cattle  would  go  astray  and  my  ranche  overrun  during 
my  absence.  Please  let  me  return  to  my  home,  and  I  will  donate  twenty 
horses  for  the  use  of  the  government." 

"  The  proposition  is  accepted,"  Don  Sanchos  cried.  "  As  the  agent  of 
the  State  I  have  the  power  to  grant  release  of  services  for  a  consideration. 
You  can  go,"  and  Alberto  left  the  room  with  us,  and,  confound  him,  he  did 
not,  or  would  not,  take  a  hint,  but  walked  all  the  way  home  with  us  and  the 
girls,  and  stood  staring  like  a  born  idiot  while  we  talked,  and  kissed  the 
young  ladies.  We  told  him  to  return  to  his  ranche,  and  that  we  would  join 
him  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  but  he  said  that  fears  for  our  safety  prompted 
him  to  remain  near  us.  We  had  a  strong  desire  to  strangle  the  young  man, 
but  finally  concluded  to  let  him  live,  then  kissed  the  girls  a  sad  farewell,  and 
left  them,  promising  to  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

"  This  is  the  end  of  all  our  hopes  and  ambitions,  Lewey,"  I  said,  as  we 
retraced  our  steps  toward  the  ranche.  "  It  is  the  saddest  blow  we  have  yet 
received." 

"  Don't  you  be  cast  down,"  my  friend  remarked.  "  De  United  States 
vill  knock  de  Mexicans  higher  dan  a  kite  in  a  leetle  vile.  Ve  skall  not  hab 
much  fightin'  to  do,  and  ven  it  is  all  ober  den  ve  vill  be  married  in  earnest. 
I  sees  much  fun  in  de  life  of  a  sojer.  And,  arter  all,  it  is  not  good  for  a 
man  to  tie  himself  down  ven  he  is  young,  and  not  seen  much  of  de  vorld. 
S'pose  ve  should  meet  some  von  ve  liked  better  dan  de  girls  ven  it  vas  too 
late  ?  By  gar,  dat  vould  be  bad  for  us.  All  is  for  de  best.  I  skall  shed  no 
tears.  Ah,  here  comes  de  cavalry.  Let  us  step  into  de  chapparel,  and 
vait  for  'em  to  pass,  for  dey  might  make  a  mistake,  and  fire  at  de  wrong 
parties." 

We  dodged  out  of  the  road,  hid  in  the  long  grass,  and  counted  forty 
horsemen,  and  eight  impressed  rancheros,  who  were  on  foot,  and  uttering 
doleful  complaints  because  they  had  no  money  or  personal  property  to 
bribe  Don  Sanchos  and  his  brother. 


256  Lewey  and  I. 


After  the  cavalcade  had  passed  we  resumed  our  course,  and  soon  arrived 
at  the  ranche.  We  did  not  feel  like  sleeping  with  the  prospect  before  us, 
so  made  a  fire,  and  prepared  a  pot  of  coffee,  and  then  sat  and  smoked 
for  an  hour  or  more,  not  too  well  pleased  with  our  evening's  entertainment, 
for,  although  we  had  been  to  a  fandango,  we  had  danced  to  very  discordant 
music. 

At  last,  tired  with  speculations  on  the  future,  we  went  to  sleep,  and  when 
we  awoke  the  Indian  woman  had  prepared  a  nice  bea \-fast  in  honor  of  our 
departure.  We  brought  in  our  horses,  rubbed  them  down,  and  made  all 
preparations  for  going  to  the  rendezvous  agreed  upon.  Alberto  was  sorry 
for  us,  and  regretted  that  we  must  part,  but  was  too  glad  at  his  own  escape 
from  military  duties  to  shed  many  tears  over  our  fate.  He  rounded  in  his 
mustangs  in  the  corral,  selected  the  poorest  lot  that  he  owned,  and  was  all 
ready  to  drive  them  to  the  house  where  the  fandango  had  occurred,  as  soon 
as  we  were  prepared  to  leave. 

At  first  we  did  not  know  what  to  do  about  Jack.  He  would  be  in  the 
way  if  we  took  him,  and  might  break  his  heart  with  grief  should  I  leave  him 
behind.  The  poor  animal  sat  and  looked  at  us  while  the  discussion  was 
going  on,  and  I  believe  that  he  understood  every  word  that  we  said,  for  all 
at  once  he  threw  back  his  head,  and  uttered  a  prolonged  howl,  and  tears 
poured  out  of  his  eyes  like  those  of  a  human  being  who  has  suffered  some 
great  disaster. 

"  By  gar,  ve  vill  take  him,"  Lewey  cried.  "  Jack  can  look  arter  himself 
as  veil  as  ve  can.  He  knows  more  dan  a  greaser,  I  dink,"  and  the  dog 
showed  his  appreciation  of  the  words  by  attempting  to  kiss  our  faces. 

At  nine  o'clock  we  slung  our  rifles  over  our  shoulders,  said  good-by  to 
the  cook,  mounted  our  horses,  and  helped  Alberto  drive  his  mustangs  to  the 
rendezvous.  We  found  Captain  Fernando  and  his  men  waiting  to  receive 
us,  and  the  military  gentleman  said  with  a  laugh  that  Don  Sanchos  was  so 
much  occupied  at  Ranche  Refugio  he  could  not  be  present  to  watch  our 
departure.  We  knew  that  the  scoundrel  was  determined  the  girls  should 
not  see  us  again,  and  was  the  means  of  their  being  housed  until  we  were 
many  miles  on  our  course. 

Our  captain  was  not  a  bad-hearted  fellow,  and  I  have  no  doubt  would 
willingly  have  consented  to  our  discharge  had  he  not  feared  the  evil  influ- 
ence of  the  spy  at  head-quarters.  He  was  quite  civil,  and  appointed  us  cor- 
porals on  the  spot,  our  badge  of  office  being  a  strip  of  yellow  cotton  cloth 
pinned  on  the  left  arm  of  our  jackets.  I  think  we  were  thus  promoted  on 
account  of  our  carrying  rifles  and  pistols,  which  appeared  to  produce  a  pro- 


Lewey  and  I.  257 


found  impression  on  the  minds  of  our  companions,  for  they  evidently  took 
us  for  desperate  warriors,  and  when  we  shot  a  turkey  buzzard  at  a  distance 
of  fifty  yards  even  the  commander  of  the  company  said  that  we  were  won- 
ders, and  would  kill  a  lot  of  gringos  before  the  war  was  ended,  and  those 
greasers,  who  could  handle  a  knife  but  not  a  gun,  were  ready  to  obey  us  in 
all  things. 

We  had  not  the  slightest  knowledge  of  cavalry  movements,  and  did  not 
need  any  on  the  march.  The  captain  was  to  ride  in  advance,  and  all  were 
ordered  not  to  crowd  too  closely  on  him.  Then  came  the  two  trumpeters, 
and  the  rest  of  us  as  we  pleased.  Lewey  and  I  took  our  places  somewhere 
near  the  rear  of  the  horsemen,  so  that  Jack  could  see  us,  and  thereby  re- 
joice. The  captain  had  given  his  consent  to  the  arrangement,  and  said  that 
he  did  not  care  if  there  were  fifty  perros  so  long  as  they  did  not  bother 
him. 

The  impressed  men  were  mounted  on  Alberto's  horses,  and  shed  tears  of 
regret  at  the  idea  of  leaving  places  where  they  had  been  living  idle  lives  for 
so  many  years.  In  fact,  Lewey  and  I  were  so  rejoiced  to  see  other  people 
suffering  more  than  ourselves  that  we  actually  brightened  up,  and  when  the 
captain  rode  to  the  rear,  to  see  that  his  troop  of  fifty  men  were  all  right, 
and  looked  warlike,  my  friend  asked,  — 

"  Senor  Capitan,  how  much  per  month  is  the  pay  of  a  first-class  cavalry- 
man like  myself  ?  " 

"  Eight  dollars  and  found,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Where  shall  we  find  the  eight  dollars  when  it  is  due  ? "  Lewey 
demanded. 

"  Quien  sabe,"  was  the  answer  and  a  suggestive  shrug  of  the  shoulders. 
"  The  saints  are  kind,  but  they  will  not  tell  us  that  much.  You  may  have 
to  take  your  pay  in  land.  It  is  very  cheap,  and  there  is  enough  of  it.  By 
my  patron  saint,  I  believe  that  I  have  the  best  company  in  the  State. 
Adelante,"  and  we  commenced  our  journey  to  Monterey,  and  all  the  girls  of 
Ranche  Refugio,  except  Anita  and  Engracia,  turned  out  to  see  us  off,  and 
would  have  waved  their  handkerchiefs  for  our  benefit  if  they  had  owned  any. 
As  they  did  not,  a  shake  of  their  skirts  was  the  next  best  thing.  Even  the 
two  pretty  sisters  came  near  us,  and  Lewey  raised  his  sombrero,  and 
seemed  to  feel  a  little  proud  that  he  was  a  soldier,  as  the  young  ladies 
smiled  on  him,  and  called  him  a  defender  of  the  honor  of  Mexico,  and  the 
French  lad  winked  at  me  as  he  heard  the  words. 

"  I  should  n't  vonder,"  my  friend  remarked,  as  he  replaced  the  hat  on  his 
head,  "dat  if  I  should  come  back  here  a  hofficer  von  of  dem  girls  vould  be 


258  Lewey  and  I. 


glad  to  jump  at  me  as  a  husband,  and  it  vould  n't  be  a  bad  match.  You 
take  von  and  I  de  udder." 

"  Adelante,  muy  presto,"  was  the  command,  and  we  rode  away  from  the 
fascinating  faces,  and  in  a  little  while  my  friend  had  forgotten  the  pretty 
sisters,  and  was  thinking  of  other  matters,  probably  where  he  should  find 
senoritas  capable  of  holding  his  attention  for  a  week  at  least. 

We  followed  the  trail  that  led  to  San  Luis  Obispo,  but  when  the  after- 
noon's sun  was  hot  we  halted  near  a  ranche,  unsaddled  and  piquetted  our 
horses,  and  then  there  were  orders  to  capture  a  bullock,  and  kill  it.  The 
owner  of  the  property  came  toward  us,  and  called  the  men  all  the  vile  names 
he  could  think  of,  but  our  captain  only  laughed  at  him,  and  smoked  cigar- 
ettes in  his  face.  The  ranchero  went  over  a  hill  at  a  dashing  pace  as  if  to 
summon  help,  and  Lewey  and  I  walked  toward  the  adobe  house  to  see  if 
there  were  any  terrified  females  who  needed  assurances  of  protection  from 
the  officers  of  the  Mexican  army.  We  supposed  there  were  ladies  at  home, 
but  they  had  shut  and  bolted  the  doors,  and  we  could  not  get  a  view  of 
them.  They  seemed  to  fear  us,  I  judged  from  appearances,  and  I  did  not 
wonder  at  it. 

While  searching  one  of  the  out-buildings  we  came  across  a  barrel  that 
attracted  our  attention.  We  knocked  out  the  bung,  smelled  of  the  contents, 
and  it  seemed  to  us  to  be  aguardiente.  We  inserted  a  straw,  and  tasted. 
It  was  rum,  and  no  mistake,  and  old  at  that.  We  saw  a  fine  chance  for  re- 
freshing and  cheering  our  comrades.  One  of  them  was  near  us,  seeking 
what  he  could  steal  and  carry  away.  We  pointed  to  the  barrel,  and  men- 
tioned the  word  aguardiente.  It  was  enough.  In  an  instant  the  greaser 
was  on  his  knees,  and  filling  himself  with  the  fiery  liquor.  We  left  him  at 
his  work,  and  strolled  back  to  the  camp,  and  there  encountered  a  little  rat- 
eyed  sergeant,  the  only  man  who  knew  anything  of  military  duty  in  the 
command,  aside  from  the  captain. 

"  Sergeant,"  I  said,  "  one  of  our  men  is  filling  himself  with  rum  at  the 
house.  There  is  a  barrel  of  it,  old  and  good." 

"  Holy  Virgin,  do  you  mean  it  ? "  the  old  fellow  asked,  and  made  a 
straight  course  for  the  house. 

We  hinted  the  same  information  to  the  rest  of  the  men,  and  in  ten  min- 
utes there  was  no  one  in  camp  but  the  captain  and  ourselves.  The  former 
was  smoking  cigarettes,  as  usual,  and  reclining  under  a  tree,  his  head  on  a 
saddle. 

"  Cabo  de  esquadra  ?  "  asked  our  commander,  "  where  have  all  the  men 
gone  ?  " 


Lewey  and  L  259 


"  Senor  Capitan,"  Lewey  answered,  "  I  think  they  have  found  some- 
thing worth  stealing  at  the  house.  They  are  inclined  that  way." 

"  All  right,"  was  the  careless  answer.  "  But  be  sure  and  not  let  them 
load  down  the  horses,"  and  then  the  young  fellow  took  his  usual  siesta,  and 
he  must  have  slept  half  an  hour  when  he  was  awakened  by  a  noise  that 
proved  the  rum  was  operating. 

With  howls  and  yells  the  gallant  soldiers  issued  from  the  building,  some 
rolling  the  barrel,  and  others  struggling  to  stop  its  progress,  so  that  more 
drink  could  be  obtained.  At  one  moment  half  a  dozen  of  the  greasers 
would  be  piled  up  on  top  of  each  other,  and  the  person  who  was  nearest  the 
bung-hole  dragged  away  to  give  place  to  another  man,  perhaps  a  trifle  more 
drunk  than  the  rest. 

"Caramba,"  cried  the  captain,  "what  is  the  meaning  of  all  this, 
corporals  ?  " 

"  It  looks  to  me  as  though  the  gallant  heroes  were  drunk,"  Lewey 
remarked. 

"  I  think  you  are  right,"  our  superior  said.  "  Keep  the  dogs  away  from 
me,  and  when  they  get  sober  we  will  boot  and  saddle." 

One  of  the  wild-eyed  warriors  came  toward  us  with  a  calabash  of  aguar- 
diente in  his  hand. 

"  Drink  to  the  success  of  Mexico,  and  confusion  to  her  enemies,"  he  said, 
and,  just  as  he  was  handing  the  liquor  to  us,  stepped  on  Jack's  tail.  The 
indignant  dog  responded  by  a  grab  at  the  seat  of  the  greaser's  trousers,  and 
tore  out  a  mouthful  of  cloth,  such  as  it  was,  while  the  man  uttered  several 
emphatic  oaths,  whirled  around  rapidly,  tumbled  to  the  ground,  spilling  the 
rum,  and  immediately  went  to  sleep. 

"I  must  stop  this  debauch,"  Captain  Fernando  remarked,  as  he  arose, 
and  buckled  on  his  sabre.  "Take  your  rifles,  and  come  with  me, 
corporals." 

It  was  a  job  we  did  not  care  for,  but,  as  the  young  fellow  was  full  of 
pluck,  we  could  do  no  less  than  follow  him,  and  see  how  he  would  subdue 
the  noisy  brawlers. 

The  captain  marched  up  to  the  barrel,  pushed  aside  the  men  who  were 
struggling  to  get  at  its  contents,  and  said,  — 

"Turn  that  barrel  so  the  rum  will  run  out.  We  have  had  drinking 
enough  for  one  day." 

"  Let  the  aguardiente  alone,"  one  ferocious  Mexican  said.  "  It  is  ours 
and  no  one  shall  deprive  us  of  it." 

The  young  officer  raised  his  sabre,  and  dealt  the  speaker  a  blow  with  the 


260  Lewey  and  /. 


flat  of  the  blade,  full  oft  his  dark,  ugly  face.  He  was  one  of  the  rancheros 
who  was  impressed  the  night  before,  and  did  not  quite  comprehend  military 
duty  and  respect  to  a  superior. 

The  greaser  was  hot-tempered  and  quick.  Like  a  flash  he  drew  his  long, 
sharp  knife,  and  made  a  bound  for  the  captain.  He  was  drunk,  but  not  so 
intoxicated  as  to  prevent  his  hand  being  firm.  The  blow  would  have  struck 
the  young  officer  full  upon  the  breast,  if  we  had  not  noted  the  act,  and 
raised  the  butt  of  our  rifles.  With  a  crash  we  let  the  breach  of  our  guns 
fall  upon  the  Mexican's  arm,  and  it  fell  to  his  side,  and  the  cuchillo  dropped 
to  the  ground. 

"  You  did  well,"  the  officer  remarked  in  a  cool,  unconcerned  manner,  as  he 
noticed  our  act.  "  I  won't  forget  this,  be  assured." 

The  regular  soldiers  appeared  frightened  at  what  had  occurred,  while  the 
would-be  assassin  moaned  with  pain.  Some  of  the  men  began  to  move 
away,  as  though  they  had  partaken  of  all  the  fun  they  desired. 

"  Sergeant,"  said  the  captain,  lighting  a  cigarette,  "  find  a  reata,  and 
bring  it  here." 

He  spoke  to  the  fierce  little  Mexican,  the  only  person  who  seemed  to 
know  much  about  military  duties,  except  his  superior  and  one  or  two 
others. 

The  fellow  with  the  broken  arm  turned  as  if  to  move  away. 

"  Halt,"  thundered  the  captain.  "  Remain  as  you  were.  Move  a  step, 
and  I  '11  cut  you  down  like  a  dog." 

The  greaser  obeyed.  The  sergeant  came  toward  us  with  a  lariat,  saluted, 
and  awaited  orders. 

"  Put  that  reata  around  the  dog's  neck,  and  hang  him  to  the  nearest  tree," 
the  captain  said. 

The  sergeant  coolly  proceeded  to  do  the  bidding,  but  when  the  criminal 
struggled  and  resisted,  the  captain  turned  to  Lewey  and  myself. 

"  Corporals,  aid  the  sergeant,"  he  said,  "  in  hanging  that  scoundrel." 

"Captain,"  we  both  exclaimed,  "we  do  not  relish  that  kind  of  work. 
Will  you  please  detail  some  one  else  to  do  it  ?  A  hangman's  position  is 
one  not  to  be  desired  by  young  men  of  our  class." 

"  Oh,  yes.  No  need  of  making  excuses.  Here,  you  two,  come  and  help 
hang  this  man,"  speaking  to  some  of  his  regulars. 

The  fellows  did  not  hesitate.  They  fell  upon  the  wretch,  who  no  longer 
struggled,  put  the  reata  around  his  neck,  and  dragged  him  to  a  tree.  No 
one  dared  to  remonstrate,  even  if  all  were  drunk,  or  under  the  influence  of 
liquor,  as  half  of  the  men  were  asleep,  and  knew  not  what  was  going  on. 


Lewey  and  I.  263 


The  captain  lighted  a  fresh  cigarette,  and  appeared  the  most  unconcerned 
man  in  the  camp. 

"  Captain,"  I  said,  "  is  there  no  mercy  for  the  greaser  ?  " 

"  No.     Why  do  you  ask  ?  "  was  the  short  answer. 

"  To  see  if  there  was  any  hope  of  pardon.  His  crime  is  great,  but  his 
punishment  is  terrible." 

"  He  dies,"  was  all  the  answer  the  young  fellow  made,  and  turned  his 
back  on  us,  returned  to  the  tree  and  resumed  his  horizontal  position,  car- 
ing no  more  for  the  life  of  his  countryman  than  that  of  a  sick  dog,  if  quite 
as  much. 

"  Lewey,"  I  said,  as  we  avoided  looking  at  the  scene  of  the  hanging,  "  the 
next  time  we  find  a  barrel  of  aguardiente  we  will  spill  the  contents  on  the 
ground.  Our  joke  has  not  been  a  success  thus  far." 

And  the  French  lad  crossed  himself,  like  a  good  Catholic,  and  muttered  a 
prayer  for  the  dead,  as,  when  he  ventured  to  steal  a  look  at  the  tree,  dang- 
ling from  a  limb  was  the  lifeless  body  of  the  greaser. 

I  do  not  know  if  the  execution  was  an  example  of  Mexican  military  se- 
verity, and  legal  or  illegal.  At  any  rate,  the  young  officer  took  upon  him- 
self the  responsibility  of  hanging  a  man  for  an  attempted  murder.  There 
was  no  court-martial  held,  and  no  one  asked  for  an  explanation  at  Monte- 
rey, when  we  arrived  there.  This  may  have  been  Mexican  law,  but,  if  it 
was,  some  changes  were  needed,  it  seemed  to  me  at  the  time. 

At  four  o'clock  the  trumpets  sounded  to  saddle,  and  the  men,  with  aching 
heads,  were  awakened,  kicked  and  cuffed  into  motion,  and  at  last  got  in  line 
for  inspection.  The  body  of  the  dead  still  dangled  from  the  tree,  no  orders 
having  been  issued  to  cut  it  down. 

"  Soldiers,"  said  the  young  captain,  "  you  have  witnessed  a  slight  exam- 
ple of  punishment  for  military  insubordination.  Let  it  be  a  warning  to  you 
in  the  future.  The  good  and  brave  will  be  rewarded.  The  cowardly  pun- 
ished. Corporals  Thorn  and  Lewey  are  promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeants 
for  saving  my  life.  Hereafter  they  will  ride  near  me,  at  the  head  of  the 
troop,  as  my  body-guard.  Long  live  Mexico  and  the  republic.  Death  to 
her  enemies." 

"Veil,  dis  is  a  go,"  whispered  Lewey.  "  All  dings  is  for  de  best,  arte,' 
all.  Ve  keeps  on,  and  soon  ve  skall  be  ginerals,  and  den  vot  von  knows 
but  ve  can  marry  de  pretty  sisters." 

"And  forget  Anita  and  Engracia?"  I  asked,  in  tones  of  reproach. 

"  As  ginerals  ve  should  hab  to  look  higher.  Our  stations  in  life  vould  be 
so  different  dat  ve  vould  be  fools  to  gib  our  hands  unless  dar  vas  some 


264  Lewev  and  7. 


money  comin'  to  us  by  de  operation.  You  leaves  all  to  me,  for  I  knows 
de  vorld  and  de  peoples  better  much  dan  you  do." 

Somehow  I  could  not  help  wishing  that  the  French  lad  was  a  little  more 
firm  in  his  love  affairs,  and  not  so  worldly  in  hopes  and  aspirations.  The 
last  pretty  face  was  sufficient  to  set  him  wild,  and  make  him  forget  all  past 
vows  and  protestations.  The  only  thing  in  which  he  was  constant  was  his 
friendship  for  me.  That  never  wavered  or  grew  cold,  and  he  was  ready  to 
fight  for  me,  or  die  for  me,  if  necessary.  But  with  women  it  was  so  differ- 
ent, I  could  only  sigh  and  hope  he  would  improve  with  age  and  experience. 
At  the  same  time  there  was  much  sense  in  the  lad's  suggestion.  The  sis- 
ters were  pretty,  and  had  money,  two  desirable  things  in  a  woman. 

There  was  no  cheering  when  the  announcement  was  made  of  our  promo- 
tion, not  that  the  men  were  envious,  for  all  knew  the  manner  in  which  we 
had  been  impressed,  but  because  their  heads  were  dazed  by  the  debauch  of 
the  day.  We  wheeled  in  sections  of  fours,  and  went  on  our  way,  to  the 
great  relief  of  the  women  of  the  ranche,  it  is  probable,  and  the  indignation 
of  the  owner.  He  must  have  been  surprised  when  he  returned  to  see  what 
kind  of  fruit  one  of  his  trees  bore,  for  we  left  the  Mexican  where  he  had 
been  hanged. 

We  camped  at  San  Luis  Obispo  the  next  morning,  and  went  through  the 
town  like  a  flock  of  hungry  wolves.  Nothing  was  safe  from  the  hands  of 
the  soldiers.  Chickens  and  pigs  were  taken  wherever  found,  and  for  a 
while  Lewey  and  I  seemed  to  catch  the  infection,  and  were  half  disposed  to 
plunder  all  whom  we  encountered.  For  a  time  we  were  separated.  I  had 
ridden  up  to  a  large  adobe  house,  where  I  thought  a  good  breakfast  could 
be  obtained,  dismounted,  pushed  open  the  door,  and  went  in.  Lewey  had 
thought  food  looked  more  promising  in  another  direction. 

"  What  do  you  want  ?  "  demanded  an  elderly  lady,  and  she  was  one,  I 
could  tell  that  by  the  first  glance  at  her  face  and  gray  hair. 

"  Breakfast,"  I  answered.  "  I  have  traveled  all  night,  and  am  famished," 
and  off  came  my  hat,  and  I  made  a  low  bow  to  the  only  inmate  of  the 
room. 

"  Are  you  a  Mexican  soldier  ?  "  she  demanded  in  a  haughty  tone.  "  You 
do  not  speak  like  one." 

"  I  am  not  a  Mexican,  but  at  present  a  soldier.  A  poor  one,  I  am  sorry 
to  say.  We  have  marched  all  night,  and  the  men  are  looking  for  rations. 
If  I  disturb  you  pray  let  me  retire,  and  find  that  which  I  seek  in  some 
other  place,"  and,  bowing,  would  have  left  the  premises,  but  she  stopped 
me  with  a  gesture. 


Lewey  and  I.  265 


"  Remain,"  she  said.  "  You  shall  be  served  with  the  best  the  house 
affords." 

Just  at  this  moment  four  of  our  men  opened  the  door  of  the  casa,  and 
dashed  into  the  room.  They  had  seen  my  horse  in  the  corral,  and  sup- 
posed that  I  had  struck  a  bonanza  in  the  shape  of  feed. 

The  old  lady  looked  the  indignation  she  felt. 

"  Leave  the  house,  you  unmannerly  ruffians,"  she  said  to  the  new- 
comers. 

"  Go  to  the  devil,"  was  the  curt  answer  of  the  cavalrymen.  "  We  want 
to  eat,  and  mean  to  pillage  the  house." 

At  this  moment  a  door  opened,  and  a  pretty  little  woman  entered,  lead- 
ing a  child  by  the  hand.  She  looked  some  of  the  fear  she  felt,  for  the  lady 
trembled,  and  the  little  one  was  whimpering,  and  clinging  to  its  mother's 
skirts. 

"  Here  goes  for  the  first  kiss,"  cried  one  of  my  men,  and  he  jumped  to- 
ward the  prize,  and  threw  his  arms  around  her.  She  uttered  a  shrill  scream 
of  terror,  and  her  child  repeated  the  cry,  and  covered  its  face  with  the 
mother's  dress. 

"  I  want  only  a  dozen  warm  ones,"  a  second  man  said,  and  he  too  made  a 
bound  for  a  share  of  the  kisses. 

I  clubbed  my  rifle,  and  let  it  fall  upon  the  fellow's  head,  —  the  one  who 
had  first  proposed  the  kissing  game.  He  dropped  to  the  floor  half  stunned, 
and  then  I  hit  the  second  scoundrel  a  blow  that  laid  him  low. 

"  Go,"  I  cried,  and  pointed  to  the  door. 

The  two  uninjured  greasers  hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  their  eyes  looked 
knifeish,  but  just  then  Lewey  entered  the  room,  in  search  of  me,  and  to 
say  that  he  had  found  lushings  of  feed. 

"  Vot  is  de  row  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Some  of  our  men  have  insulted  these  ladies,"  I  answered. 

"  Vot  ?  Insult  de  ladies  ?  No  Frenchman  stand  by  and  see  dat.  Ve 
vill  love  dem,  and  ve  vill  die  for  dem,  but,  by  gar,  no  von  skall  insult  dem 
vhile  I  has  de  strength  to  strike  a  blow.  Get  out  of  dis,  you  black-hearted 
scoundrels,  vot  don't  know  enough  a  kiss  to  vin  by  fair  means,"  and  he 
raised  his  foot  and  kicked  the  two  greasers  from  the  room,  and  by  this 
time  the  injured  soldiers  had  gained  their  feet  and  slunk  out  of  the  way, 
with  not  a  word  of  remonstrance,  for  they  did  not  dare  to  face  us,  knowing 
that  we  were  non-commissioned  officers,  and  therefore  had  a  little  more 
power  than  the  privates. 

"Senors,"  said  the  elderly  lady,  "we  owe  you  thanks  for  what  you  have 


266  Lewey  and  I. 


done.  Your  good  action  shall  not  go  unrewarded.  My  husband,  General 
Castro,  shall  be  informed  of  this  at  an  early  day,  and  he  too  will  be  pleased 
to  compliment  you." 

This  was  a  surprise  to  us,  but  we  could  only  bow,  and  bless  our  stars  that 
we  had  behaved  in  a  decent  manner,  and  not  like  ruffians.  But  there  was 
greater  astonishment  yet  in  store  for  us. 

"This  caballero  appears  to  have  forgotten  me,"  said  the  pretty  little 
mother,  as  soon  as  she  had  quieted  her  child,  and,  as  she  came  forward, 
placed  a  small  hand  in  mine.  "  I  fear  that  I  am  not  so  attractive  as  before 
my  marriage,  if  a  boy  forgets  me  thus  quickly." 

She  was  the  nice  little  girl  who  one  day  had  given  me  a  kiss  at  Monterey, 
just  out  of  fun  and  a  spirit  of  mischief,  and  the  lady  who  had  promised  me 
a  dozen  of  the  same  kind  at  the  time  she  supposed  the  town  was  attacked 
by  wild  Indians,  and  then  refused  to  complete  the  bargain,  saying  that  I 
was  a  fool  not  to  take  them  when  I  had  a  chance.  I  never  thought  that  she 
treated  me  well,  on  that  account,  but  now  that  she  stood  before  me,  a  pret- 
ty little  wife,  with  a  child  by  her  side,  I  forgave  all,  and  would  have  kissed 
her  willingly,  if  I  supposed  she  cared  about  it. 

"  How  handsome  you  are,"  I  remarked,  wanting  to  say  something  light 
and  graceful,  that  would  prove  acceptable,  and  not  too  abrupt,  —  kind  of  a 
delicate  compliment. 

"  Do  you  think  so  ?  "  she  asked,  and  smiled. 

"  I  am  certain  that  I  never  saw  any  one  so  beautiful  as  you,"  was  my  re- 
sponse, and  I  heard  Lewey  groan,  as  though  he  doubted  the  truth  of  the 
statement. 

"  You  always  was  a  good  boy,  and  I  now  think  you  a  nice  young  man," 
the  little  wife  exclaimed,  and  then  Lewey  acted  as  though  he  was  sick.  I 
wanted  to  kick  him  he  was  so  rude.  "  You  may  take  one  kiss  for  this 
morning's  kindness,"  the  pretty  little  woman  said,  and  p'ut  up  her  lips. 

"  It  sick  makes  me  to  see  so  much  slobberin'  goin'  on,"  my  friend  re- 
marked with  a  groan. 

He  wanted  a  chance  himself,  but  the  mother  knew  goodness  when  she 
saw  it,  and  kept  the  French  lad  at  a  distance. 

The  Senora  Castro  did  not  even  frown  as  I  bent  down  and  saluted  the 
red  lips  and  small  mouth  held  up  for  the  kiss.  I  had  just  finished  the 
agreeable  duty  when  the  door  opened,  and  in  walked  our  captain,  looking 
very  much  astonished  at  seeing  his  two  sergeants  present,  and  talking  to 
the  ladies  in  a  very  free  yet  courteous  manner. 

"  Hello,"  he  said,  "  what  the  devil  are  you  doing  here  ? "  and  then,  to  our 


Lewey  and  I.  267 


surprise,  the  pretty  little  wife  threw  herself  into  his  arms,  and  kissed  the 
officer  a  dozen  times,  which  made  Lewey  so  discontented  that  he  wanted  to 
kick  Jack,  but  thought  better  of  it,  and  only  muttered  about  being  aggra- 
vated when  so  many  good  things  were  thrown  away  on  the  undeserving. 

"  O  !  Fernando,"  cried  the  little  wife,  as  soon  as  she  could  take  breath, 
"  how  surprised  and  delighted  I  am  to  see  you.  I  did  not  know  you  were 
near  me.-  I  supposed  you  were  still  at  Santa  Barbara,  recruiting  for  your 
company." 

"  My  company  is  nearly  full,  and  I  am  on  my  way  to  Monterey.  We  ar- 
rived here  this  morning,  and  march  tonight,"  the  captain  answered. 

"  For  the  sake  of  the  saints  go  sooner,"  Senora  Castro  exclaimed.  "  I 
think,  from  what  I  have  seen,  that  your  men  must  be  the  worst  in  Califor- 
nia. They  have  grossly  insulted  us  already." 

"  In  what  way  ?  "  Captain  Fernando  demanded,  and  put  his  hand  on  his 
sabre,  and  gave  us  a  look  that  did  not  speak  well  for  our  future  promotion. 

"Four  of  your  men  attempted  to  kiss  me,"  the  young  wife  said,  " and 
were  otherwise  violent,"  and  here  she  sobbed,  but  did  not  say  a  word  about 
the  salute  she  had  given  me. 

"You  blanked  ladrones,"  howled  the  captain,  and  would  have  fully  drawn 
his  sabre,  but  the  young  wife  held  him  so  tightly  in  her  arms  that  he  could 
not  move  until  an  explanation  had  been  made. 

"  Be  quiet,  Fernando,"  the  elderly  lady  remarked.  "  You  misjudge  these 
caballeros.  They  are  gentlemen,  if  they  are  common  soldiers.  To  them 
are  we  indebted  for  protection.  They  drove  off  the  bad  ladrones  who 
would  have  assaulted  us,  and  at  some  risk  to  their  own  lives." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  the  young  wife  cried  eagerly,  "  your  men  would  have  kissed 
and  maltreated  me  had  not  these  young  gentlemen  knocked  two  of  them 
down,  and  kicked  the  others  out  of  the  house.  They  are  heroes, 
Fernando." 

The  young  officer's  face  lost  its  flush  of  anger.  He  released  his  hold  of 
the  sabre,  and  held  out  his  hand  for  us  to  shake,  and  forgive  him. 

"  Pardon  me,"  he  said.  "  I  should  have  known  that  the  men  who  saved 
my  life  would  not  insult  unprotected  ladies.  This  is  my  sister,  the  Senora 
Costello,  and  this  lady  is  the  Senora  Castro,  the  wife  of  the  governor,  the 
commander-in-chief  of  the  California  army,  and  my  uncle,"  and,  as  he  intro- 
duced us  the  ladies  bowed,  and  we  assured  them  that  we  were  delighted  to 
make  their  acquaintance,  as  is  customary  in  polite  society,  and  it  does  not 
matter  if  you  do  utter  a  falsehood  at  the  time  the  assertion  is  made.  It  is 
only  a  white  lie. 


268  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Aunt,"  the  young  captain  said,  "  these  young  men  were  impressed  into 
my  company  through  the  machinations  of  that  scoundrel,  Don  Antonio 
Sanchos,  whom  uncle  will  keep  in  the  pay  of  the  State,  as  a  spy  and  engan- 
chador.  They  were  green  enough  to  matriculador,  and  so  we  claimed  them 
for  military  duty,  as  we  had  a  right  to.  The  foolish  young  fellows  were  in 
love,  and  wanted  to  marry  two  girls  at  Ranche  Refugio." 

"  A  very  laudable  desire,"  both  ladies  remarked.  "  It  was  a  mean  act  to 
take  them  away  from  those  they  admire.  We  are  sure  they  would  make  ex- 
cellent and  faithful  husbands." 

"  Yes,  senoras,  we  should,  be  assured  of  that,"  the  unblushing  Lewey  re- 
marked, and  from  that  moment  my  French  friend  grew  in  favor  with  the 
ladies. 

"  Now,  I  have  a  plan  that  requires  your  help,  my  good  aunt,"  the  captain 
said.  "  I  owe  the  young  men  a  debt  of  gratitude  as  well  as  yourself. 
Write  a  letter  to  the  general,  detailing  all  the  circumstances  of  this  morn- 
ing's outrage.  Paint  glowingly  the  service  the  senors  have  rendered  you 
and  Sister  Costello.  The  army  is  no  place  for  them.  Before  they  have 
been  in  it  a  month  they  will  be  murdered  by  their  companions,  just  as  sure 
as  they  are  now  alive.  To  save  them  I  shall  not  even  ask  the  names  of  the 
ladrones  who  assailed  you,  for,  if  the  scoundrels  were  pointed  out  and 
properly  punished,  their  comrades  would  avenge  the  act  on  the  first  dark 
night,  by  the  thrust  of  a  knife.  I  could  let  them  desert,  and  welcome,  but 
Sanchos  would  set  his  hounds  on  their  trail,  run  them  down,  and  then  shoot 
them.  There  would  be  a  volley,  and  two  dead  matriculadors.  The  best 
plan  is  for  General  Castro  to  grant  a  formal  discharge  from  the  army,  with 
a  promise  on  the  lads'  part  not  to  serve  against  California  or  Mexico. 
How  would  this  suit  you,  senors  ? "  the  young  captain  asked,  turning  to 
us. 

I  expressed  my  joy  at  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  release,  but  Lewey  did  not 
respond  so  readily.  The  fact  of  it  was  the  French  lad  had  really  begun  to 
like  the  life  we  were  leading.  There  was  excitement  and  activity  in  it,  and 
some  fun.  He  could  order  the  greasers  about,  and  began  to  feel  all  the  de- 
lights of  one  who  is  in  authority,  and  can  show  his  power.  Besides,  had 
not  our  men  stolen  everything  that  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  or  else  de- 
stroyed what  they  could  not  carry  away?  There  is  something  fascinating 
in  a  piedatory  life  after  all,  especially  when  you  have  no  property  of  your 
own,  so  that  retaliation  can  be  made  by  the  sufferers,  and  this  was  our 
case. 

"  Before  I  answer  the  question,  let  me  ask  one,  capitan,"  Lewey  said. 


Lewey  and  I.  269 


"  Is  there  any  chance  for  us  to  become  generals  or  colonels  in  the 
army?" 

"  Not  the  slightest,  amigo,"  was  the  ready  answer.  "  We  have  more  of- 
ficers than  soldiers  and  more  generals  than  companit-s.  You  can  hope  to 
rise  no  higher,  for  jealousy  of  foreigners  would  be  a  bar  to  your 
promotion." 

"  Then,"  said  Lewey  with  a  sigh,  "  I  am  ready  to  be  mustered  out.  It 
seems  as  though  fate,  or  the  saints,  was  against  us  all  the  time.  We  can 
neither  get  married  nor  stay  in  the  army.  All  doors  are  closed  on  us." 

The  Mexican  laughed,  and  then  the  ladies  caused  an  excellent  breakfast 
to  be  prepared  for  us,  and  the  captain  did  not  hesitate  to  invite  us  to  sit  at 
the  table  and  eat  with  him. 

While  the  meal  was  being  got  ready  Lewey  and  I  went  in  search  of  some 
of  the  male  peons  of  the  estate,  swore  at  them  in  true  trooper  style,  to  im- 
press upon  their  simple  minds  that  we  were  men  not  to  be  trifled  with,  made 
them  remove  our  saddles,  groom  our  horses,  and  the  one  the  captain  rode, 
feed  the  animals  with  barley,  and  give  them  plenty  of  water,  and,  while  this 
was  being  done,  heaven  only  knows  where  the  rest  of  our  men  were,  or 
what  they  were  doing.  We  could  hear  a  yell  once  in  a  while,  and  a  shrill 
scream,  as  though  some  Indian  woman  was  being  kissed  against  her  will, 
but,  as  we  were  not  responsible  for  the  morals  of  the  greasers,  we  did  not 
rush  around,  knocking  on  the  head  the  disorderly  ones,  for  our  lives  were 
of  some  value  to  us,  and  worth  all  the  Mexicans  in  the  country. 

Sometimes  a  straggler  would  roam  near  the  house,  where  the  captain  was 
taking  his  ease,  but  we  had  only  to  point  in  a  different  direction,  and  off  the 
fellow  would  go,  and  leave  us  in  peace. 

After  breakfast  we  lay  down  under  the  shade  of  a  tree,  and  went  to  sleep, 
Jack  keeping  watch  over  our  persons.  We  slept  until  four  o'clock,  and 
were  then  awakened  by  the  loud  blasts  of  our  trumpets,  calling  in  the  strag- 
glers, and  as  a  signal  to  get  ready  to  march. 

We  were  rolling  up  our  blankets,  and  strapping  them,  when  Captain 
Fernando  called  us  into  the  house. 

"  Sergeants,"  he  said,  "  I  shall  leave  you  two  here  tonight,  and  tomorrow 
you  will  start,  and  act  as  escort  to  my  sister  and  aunt.  They  go  to  Monte- 
rey. They  have  had  enough  of  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  prefer  the  former 
and  death  to  life  and  this  place.  Their  husbands  have  sent  for  them,  and 
they  are  willing  enough  to  start.  Do  you  think  you  can  look  after  their 
welfare  on  the  route  ?  They  will  ride  in  a  rough  volante,  drawn  by  two 
mules,  the  same  that  brought  them  here  a  few  weeks  since.  A  peon  will 


Lewey  and  I. 


act  as  postilion,  and  you  must  protect  the  ladies  from  insults,  if  any  are 
offered.  The  senoras  prefer  you  to  their  own  countrymen,  which  is  a  great 
compliment." 

We  said  that  we  should  like  the  job  very  much,  and  I  thought  of  the 
pleasant  little  chats  I  could  have  with  the  young  wife  while  on  the  way. 

"  Then  that  is  settled.  To  tell  you  the  truth,  I  fear  some  of  my  men  may 
not  like  broken  heads  from  gringos.  Now  here  is  a  paper  requiring  all  the 
people  on  your  route  to  grant  you  protection,  shelter,  and  assistance,  under 
pains  and  penalties  of  martial  law.  Do  not  hurry  over  the  country,  for  it 
is  rough,  and  be  careful  in  descending  the  mountains,  and  crossing  the  riv- 
ers and  streams.  See  that  no  harm  happens  to  the  senoras  or  the  mucha- 
cho.  On  this  duty  will  depend,  in  a  measure,  your  discharge.  And  now 
adios.  I  must  get  my  ladrones  in  line,  and  march." 

He  sprang  into  the  saddle,  threw  a  kiss  to  his  sister  and  aunt,  and  dashed 
down  to  the  plaza,  where  the  men  were  mustering  to  the  shrill  blasts  of  the 
trumpets,  and  the  fierce  carambas  of  the  orderly  sergeant. 

All  the  cavalry  men  reported  for  duty,  and  we  stood  near  the  road,  and 
saw  the  heroes  depart,  and,  as  they  filed  by,  they  hurled  questions  at  our 
heads  as  to  our  absence  from  the  ranks,  and  swore  that  there  was  not  a 
thing  left  in  all  San  Luis  Obispo  worth  stealing. 

We  said  that  we  were  ordered  on  a  scouting  expedition  over  the  moun- 
tains, to  look  after  Fremont  and  his  men,  and  then  the  greasers  crossed 
themselves,  and  closed  up  their  ranks,  as  if  fearful  of  an  attack.  The  two 
ruffians,  whose  heads  I  had  injured  in  the  morning,  did  not  look  pleased  at 
the  thought  of  our  being  left  behind,  and  I  imagined  that  I  read  murder  in 
their  eyes  as  they  passed  us. 

We  had  a  delightful  evening  at  the  house.  Senora  Costello  and  her  aunt 
played  on  guitars  and  sang  for  us,  just  as  though  we  were  on  an  equality. 
As  soon  as  they  learned  we  had  some  education,  could  read  and  write,  had 
attended  schools  in  our  own  countries,  they  dropped  all  reserve,  and  acted 
like  friends  more  than  distinguished  ladies  of  rank,  with  rich  fathers  and 
husbands. 

That  night  we  slept  in  the  house,  with  our  rifles  beside  us,  and  Jack  on 
the  watch,  for  we  feared  some  of  the  bold  soldier  boys  might  return  in  an 
unexpected  manner,  and  not  only  put  us  out  of  the  way  but  injure  the  ladies. 
"But  nothing  happened  to  disturb  us,  and  early  in  the  morning  we  mounted 
our  horses,  and  rode  to  the  house  where  we  had  danced  with  Anita  and 
Engracia  the  night  we  were  sent  on  shore  to  watch  hides  at  the  Cave. 
Then  we  pushed  on,  went  to  the  landing,  and  the  stream  of  fresh  water, 


Lewey  and  f.  271 


where  we  stopped,  and  had  a  most  delicious  bath,  with  plenty  of  California 
hard  white  soap  to  start  the  dust  and  perspiration,  the  accumulation  of 
weeks  of  travel. 

The  Cave  had  not  changed.  The  surf  beat  lightly  on  the  shoal  shore, 
and  not  a  vessel  was  at  anchor  in  the  open  roadstead.  We  laughed  as  we 
thought  of  the  stolen  hides,  the  dead  coyote,  and  the  bear  story,  and  then 
rode  back  to  the  house,  refreshed  and  clean,  even  if  we  were  a  little  ragged. 
The  ladies  assured  us  that  we  would  be  ill  from  exposure  to  the  cold  water, 
but  we  pacified  and  tried  to  convince  them  that  there  was  no  danger.  They 
did  not  believe  in  such  rude  attempts  at  cleanliness,  and,  when  we  stated 
that  our  countrywomen  were  extravagantly  fond  of  bathing,  our  Mexican 
friends  held  up  their  hands  in  speechless  horror,  and  thought  they  must  be 
very  untidy  to  require  so  much  washing. 

As  soon  as  breakfast  was  finished  the  volante  was  brought  to  the  door, 
our  horses  were  saddled,  and  in  nice  condition  for  a  start,  the  ladies  were 
helped  into  the  vehicle,  with  a  good  supply  of  provisions  for  the  journey, 
the  pretty  little  wife  smiled  on  me  as  I  covered  her  feet  and  child  with  a 
scrape,  to  keep  off  the  keen  morning  air,  and  my  face  glowed  with  pride 
and  pleasure  as  the  handsome  lady  said,  — 

"  To  the  saints  and  to  you  we  commit  ourselves.  Do  not  disappoint  our 
anticipations,  and  when  we  arrive  at  Monterey,  if  you  are  real  good,  you 
shall  be  rewarded  by  a  kiss." 

"  For  such  a  prize  I  would  do  and  dare  anything,"  was  my  gallant  re- 
sponse, and  Lewey  asked  in  English,  in  a  sneering  tone,  — 

"  How  many  vomen  de  same  has  you  said  dat  to  ?"  just  as  though  I  was 
accustomed  to  flatter  the  fair  sex,  imitating  his  free-love  ways. 

The  postilion  cracked  his  whip,  we  slung  our  loaded  rifles  over  our 
shoulders,  whistled  to  Jack,  who  was  creating  a  disturbance  with  a  neigh - 
bering  cat,  and  did  not  like  to  leave  until  he  had  worried  her  a  little  more, 
threw  ourselves  into  the  saddles,  and  were  off,  following  the  trail  that  led 
along  the  base  of  the  mountains,  and  over  which  a  carriage  could  journey, 
if  the  driver  was  careful,  and  avoided  the  rocks  and  ruts,  for  the  govern- 
ment had  paid  some  attention  to  the  road,  a  chain  gang  being  engaged  in 
clearing  it  for  many  years,  and  yet  did  not  make  such  marked  improvement 
as  one  would  naturally  expect. 

The  morning  was  so  bright,  the  air  so  pure  and  bracing,  our  condition 
was  so  changed  from  the  experiences  of  the  day  before,  that  we  actually 
felt  quite  content  with  our  lot,  and  Lewey  hummed  a  French  love  song, 
and  wanted  me  to  join  in  the  chorus,  and  when  I  refused  said  that  I  was 


272  Lewey  and  /. 


spoons  on  some  one,  and  I  did  n't  know  what  he  meant  at  first,  until  he 
nodded  toward  the  volante,  and  smiled,  while  I  blushed,  and  repudiated  the 
idea. 

We  rode  ahead  of  the  vehicle,  the  better  to  observe  the  best  portion  of 
the  trail,  and,  when  the  hour  of  noon  arrived,  thinking  the  women  were 
tired,  we  halted  on  the  borders  of  a  little  stream  that  descended  from  the 
mountains,  assisted  the  ladies  to  dismount,  and,  while  Lewey  and  the  peon 
looked  after  the  animals,  turning  them  loose  for  feed  on  the  rich  grass,  I 
took  my  fish  line,  and  caught  a  nice  lot  of  trout,  and  baked  them  on  some 
coals,  and  while  we  were  eating  our  dinners,  the  meal  was  interrupted  by 
the  sudden  appearance  of  four  evil-looking  rancheros  descending  the  moun- 
tain, and  advancing  toward  us  on  a  lope. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

A  BRUSH  WITH  LADRONES.  —  A  YOUNG  LADY'S  MODE  OP  EXPRESSING 
THANKS.  —  THE  PEON'S  MURDER.  —  A  LONG  CONFESSION.  —  ON  THE 
MOUNTAIN  SIDE.— THE  TRAPPERS. — MONTEREY  ONCE  MORE.  —  DON 
SANCHOS  RECEIVES  A  BLOW.  —  THE  AMERICAN  CONSUL  EXPRESSES  AN 
OPINION.  —  AGREEABLE  QUARTERS.  —  AN  EARTHQUAKE,  AND  A  TU- 
MULT. —  AN  INTERVIEW  WITH  GENERAL  CASTRO.  —  ANTONIO  AND 
CARLOS  SANCHOS  ARE  SNUBBED.  —  A  DANGEROUS  MISSION  TO  CAP- 
TAIN FREMONT. 

T  T  TE  were  eating  our  dinners  of  baked  trout  and  cold  chicken,  and  rath- 
*  *  er  stale  frijoles  as  an  adjunct,  the  ladies  were  expressing  the  pleas- 
ure they  derived  from  the  journey,  and  the  happiness  they  anticipated  in 
soon  seeing  their  husbands,  when  the  four  horsemen  appeared  in  sight,  hav- 
ing crept  down  the  mountain  side  in  such  a  stealthy  manner  that  we  should 
not  have  noticed  them  until  they  were  close  upon  us  had  not  Jack  uttered  a 
significant  growl,  and  thus  caused  us  to  look  up,  just  as  the  strangers  be- 
gan to  lope  their  horses  toward  us. 

"  Ladrones,"  suddenly  exclaimed  the  peon,  and  made  a  backward  leap, 
and  landed  in  some  bushes,  out  of  sight. 

The  rancheros  did  look  like  thieves,  and  we  were  suspicious  that  they 
were  of  that  grade  of  humanity,  for  the  fellows  had  their  long  lariats  in  their 
hands  all  ready  for  a  throw.  In  a  few  minutes  more  we  should  have  been 
entangled  in  their  coils  had  not  the  dog  given  us  warning.  The  ladies  Ut- 
tered subdued  exclamations,  and  then  repeated  the  first  prayer  they  could 
think  of,  and  it  sounded  in  Spanish  something  like  our  English  version  of 
"  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep." 

"  Que  quiere  usted  ? "  Lewey  challenged. 

"  Amigos,"  was  the  ready  response,  but  we  doubted  their  being  friends, 


274  Lewey  and  I. 


for  their  movements  were  far  from  being  friendly  in  that  wild,  deserted  part 
of  the  country. 

"  Keep  off,"  my  comrade  cried.  "  Do  not  advance.  We  want  none  of 
your  company." 

"  You  will  like  us  better  after  a  short  acquaintance,"  the  rancheros  re- 
sponded. "  We  are  poor  men,  and  mean  no  injury." 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Virgin  do  not  let  the  ladrones  harm  us,"  Senora 
Costello  cried,  as  she  clasped  her  child  in  her  arms,  and  her  face,  so  beauti- 
ful and  pure,  showed  the  fear  she  experienced,  while  Senora  Castro,  like 
the  wife  of  a  warrior,  looked  the  courage  she  felt,  and  regarded  the  new- 
comers with  haughty  defiance. 

"  Senors,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  the  little  wife  had  made  her  appeal,  and  it 
was  not  a  vain  one,  for  I  resolved  to  defend  her  with  my  life,  "  this  lady  is 
the  wife  of  General  Castro,  the  governor  of  the  State.  We  desire  that  she 
shall  not  be  annoyed.  Your  presence  troubles  her.  Will  you,  like  gallant 
men,  retire  and  no  longer  give  her  anxiety  ?  " 

The  fellows  whispered  together  for  a  moment,  and  we  thought  they  would 
comply  with  our  request,  but  instead  of  galloping  off  they  drew  nearer,  and 
one  of  them  said,  — 

"  We  are  poor  men,  our  ranches  have  been  despoiled  by  the  forces  of  the 
government,  and  we  own  not  a  peso.  Give  us  all  the  money  you  have, 
your  guns  and  powder,  and  we  will  let  you  pass  without  further  molesta- 
tion. What  say  you,  is  it  a  bargain  ? " 

"  Give  them  nothing,"  was  the  stern  command  of  the  elderly  lady. 
"  They  would  not  spare  us  if  you  did." 

As  we  supposed  she  understood  the  nature  of  her  countrymen  better  than 
we  did,  her  words  inspired  us  to  show  fight  and  save  those  committed  to 
our  charge.  We  did  not  fear  the  ladrones  if  we  could  keep  them  at  a  dis- 
tance, and  our  necks  from  the  encircling  influence  of  the  terrible  lariats. 
If  they  threw  them,  and  we  were  caught,  death  was  certain,  for  they  would 
gallop  over  the  plain,  and  drag  us  at  their  horses'  heels  until  life  was 
extinct. 

"  Ladies,"  I  said,  "  the  safest  place  for  you  is  the  volante.  Go  to  it 
quietly,  but  as  speedily  as  possible,  and  leave  us  to  deal  with  these  men. 
We  will  not  desert  you,  but  fight  to  the  last." 

The  senoras  arose  and  obeyed  us  without  a  word.  As  the  rancheros 
saw  the  movement,  and  understood  its  significance,  they  prepared  for  a 
charge.  Now  they  never  would  have  thought  of  such  an  act  if  they  had 
understood  the  power  of  rifles.  They  supposed  that  we  were  armed  with 


Lewey  and  I.  275 


the  old-fashioned  Mexican  musket,  that  did  not  carry  a  ball  within  three 
fathoms  of  the  point  aimed  at,  and  a  regiment  of  soldiers,  equipped  with 
that  weapon,  have  been  known  to  fire  all  day  in  a  pitched  battle,  and  not 
kill  more  than  fifty  men,  and  wound  but  a  few  additional  enemies. 

"  Let  us  to  them  gib  it,"  Lewey  muttered,  as  the  ladrones  dashed  toward 
us. 

We  waited  until  the  fellows  were  within  fifty  feet  and  then  aimed  at  the 
two  foremost  ones,  those  who  were  a  little  in  advance  of  the  others.  With 
the  crack  of  our  rifles  the  men  singled  out  reeled  in  their  saddles,  and  then 
leaned  forward  and  clutched  their  horses'  manes.  They  did  not  seem  to 
take  much  interest  in  the  rest  of  the  fight,  for  their  animals,  frightened  at 
the  report  of  the  guns,  dashed  across  the  plain  toward  the  mountains,  and 
disappeared  in  the  thick  chapparel,  the  riders  having  no  control  over 
them. 

As  we  discharged  our  guns  we  ran  as  fast  as  possible  to  the  shelter  of 
the  volante,  and  threw  ourselves  flat  upon  the  ground,  with  arms  extended, 
and  it  was  well  that  we  did  so,  for  two  lariats  flew  through  the  air,  alighted 
on  our  persons,  and,  as  they  touched  our  heads,  we  raised  our  hands  and 
pitched  them  some  distance  from  us,  and  so  saved  our  lives  by  that  simple 
manoeuvre. 

The  rancheros  dashed  on,  bafHed  but  not  defeated.  They  knew  that  we 
could  not  have  time  to  re-load  our  rifles,  so  supposed  that  we  were  sure  to 
be  captured  at  the  next  charge.  With  a  light  touch  of  the  heavy  curb  they 
threw  their  horses  on  their  haunches,  wheeled  them  like  a  well-drilled  sol- 
dier, and  once  more  came  toward  us,  determined  to  ride  us  down  if  the  lari- 
ats failed. 

"  De  pistols  to  dem  gib,"  whispered  Lewey,  who  always  spoke  bad  Eng- 
lish when  excited. 

We  rolled  over,  close  to  the  wheels  of  the  volante,  where  the  women 
were  praying  for  our  success,  drew  our  pistols,  which  the  ladrones  did  not 
suspect  we  had  on  our  persons,  and,  when  the  Mexicans  were  close  upon 
us,  fired,  just  as  the  lariats  were  thrown.  The  mustangs  swerved  in  their 
course,  and  thus  disconcerted  the  aim  of  the  men.  The  reatas  flew  wide 
of  their  mark,  grazed  one  of  the  wheels  of  the  volante,  slipped  to  the  ground, 
and,  as  the  horsemen  passed  us,  we  gave  them  a  second  broadside  from  the 
other  pistols,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  one  fellow  utter  a  yell  of 
pain,  and  then  both  mustangs  pitched  to  the  ground,  and  the  Mexicans 
went  with  them,  one  with  a  broken  leg,  and  the  other  with  a  bullet  in  his 
shoulder. 


276  Lewey  and  L 


"  Don't  mind  'em,  cried  Lewey.  "  Let  de  blanked  scoundrels  suffer  as 
much  as  dey  can.  Load  de  guns  and  de  pistols.  Dar  may  be  udders  of 
'em  not  far  off." 

The  advice  was  too  good  to  be  rejected.  We  let  the  injured  ladrones 
lie  on  the  ground,  one  of  them  with  a  leg  under  the  wounded  mustang,  and 
grinding  the  fellow's  flesh  into  the  saddle  and  earth  at  every  movement  of 
the  animal. 

"  Bueno,"  cried  the  two  ladies,  as  they  clapped  their  hands.  "  Brave 
men.  A  thousand  thanks.  Kill  the  ladrones." 

When  a  Mexican  woman  has  her  blood  up  she  does  not  stand  for  trifles. 
She  can  be  as  cruel  as  one  of  the  male  members  of  her  race.  The  senoras 
smelled  blood,  and  there  was  no  mercy  in  their  hearts. 

We  did  not  feel  that  way.  We  had  conquered  in  the  fight,  and  were  sat- 
isfied with  what  we  had  done.  We  did  not  propose  to  despatch  our  prison- 
ers, but  let  them  get  well  the  best  way  they  could.  While  we  were  re-load- 
ing our  rifles  and  pistols,  however,  the  black,  savage  peon,  who  had  run 
away  at  the  first  sign  of  danger,  glided  out  of  the  chapparel,  and  went  to- 
ward the  injured  men.  We  did  not  note  his  movements  very  closely,  think- 
ing that  curiosity  alone  drew  him  to  the  spot.  But  suddenly  we  heard  a 
yell  for  mercy,  and  then  a  sickening  crunch,  and,  on  running  to  the  spot, 
saw  that  the  cowardly  savage  had  killed  both  ladrones  where  they  lay  on 
the  ground  with  well-directed  blows  of  his  machete,  or  heavy  knife,  sharp 
and  thick. 

"  Dog,"  we  asked,  "  why  did  you  do  this  ?  " 

"  So  that  they  will  no  longer  trouble  honest  people,"  was  the  prompt  re- 
ply. "  They  have  gone  to  the  devil  who  created  them." 

"Do  not  scold  the  peon,"  cried  the  ladies.  "He  did  right.  The  la- 
drones  would  have  maltreated  us.  They  missed  their  game,  arid  had  to  suf- 
fer the  consequences." 

We  were  not  so  hardened  as  that,  but  were  guiltless  of  the  murders, 
thank  God.  We  should  have  spared  the  injured  rancheros,  and  let  them 
escape.  But  what  could  we  say  or  do  ?  The  peon  was  not  under  our  com- 
mand, and  did  as  he  pleased,  regardless  of  our  wishes.  The  ladies  gave 
him  orders,  and  he  obeyed.  If  we  had  pleaded  for  mercy  a  smile  of  con- 
tempt from  the  savage  would  have  been  all  the  reply  he  might  vouchsafe. 
So  we  held  our  tongues,  and  left  the  fellow  to  pillage  the  bodies,  and  se- 
cure such  articles  as  he  thought  valuable. 

"  Now  we  will  finish  our  dinners  and  coffee,"  the  elderly  lady  said,  as  we 
assisted  her  to  alight  from  the  carnage. 


Lewey  and  L  277 


"  By  gar,"  cried  Lewey,  when  he  heard  the  words,  "  this  is  cool.  Some 
nerve  has  I,  but  de  ladies  beat  it  all  out  of  sight." 

"And  I,"  said  the  little  wife  "will  now  reward  my  gallant  preserver  with 
as  many  kisses  as  he  will  take.  My  life,  my  honor,  my  child  has  he  saved. 
May  the  saints  bless  him." 

I  could  not  refuse  the  polite  invitation,  so  saluted  the  fair  lady  with  two 
kisses,  but  somehow  there  was  not  that  vim  and  sweetness  in  them  that  I 
experienced  at  Monterey  previous  to  her  marriage,  or  before  the  time  of 
the  tragedy  that  had  been  enacted  before  our  eyes.  We  look  for  gentleness 
and  tenderness,  mercy  and  forgiveness  in  women,  and  when  we  do  not  find 
them  masculine  admiration  does  not  become  an  instinct,  and  so  it  was  in 
my  case.  The  beautiful  woman  was  before  me,  but  she  had  shown  no  pity 
t6ward  the  vanquished,  and  I  did  not  think  she  was  so  pretty  as  when  I  saw 
her  the  day  before,  asking  for  protection  from  the  rude  assaults  of  the 
soldiers. 

"Vare  does  my  share  of  de  kissin'  come  in?"  asked  the  envious 
Lewey. 

The  Senora  Castro  must  have  divined  the  question,  for  she  held  out  her 
hand,  a  very  well  formed  one  even  if  it  was  a  little  dark. 

*  You,"  she  said,  "  for  your  bravery  on  this  occasion  shall  be  permitted 
to  kiss  my  hand." 

"  I  vill  do  it,"  cried  Lewey,  "  but  I  is  not  hungry  for  such  dings,"  and  he 
pressed  his  lips  very  respectfully  on  the  lady's  fingers,  and  then  he  winked 
at  me. 

As  he  spoke  in  English  the  senora's  feelings  were  not  hurt,  as  she  could 
not  understand  a  word  he  uttered.  He  looked  eagerly  at  the  thin  lips  of 
the  young  wife,  but  she  did  not  take  the  hint,  although  both  ladies  praised 
us  in  no  stinted  manner  for  the  part  we  had  performed. 

We  made  a  fresh  pot  of  coffee,  smoked  a  few  cigarettes,  in  which  the 
ladies  did  not  disdain  to  join  us,  and  at  two  o'clock  were  once  more  on  our 
way,  leaving  the  dead  men  and  injured  horses  where  they  had  fallen,  food 
for  the  coyotes  and  mountain  lions,  unless  there  were  companions  to  look 
after  the  remains. 

We  passed  through  a  beautiful  section  of  the  country,  with  the  high  coast 
range  of  mountains  on  our  right  hand  and  the  seashore  on  our  left.  Some- 
times, from  our  elevated  position,  we  could  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  ocean, 
solitary  and  deserted,  with  no  sail  in  sight  to  break  the  monotony.  We 
could  not  travel  fast,  as  the  trail  was  rugged,  so  were  not  sorry  to  catch 
sight  of  the  adobe  walls  of  a  ranche  house  just  as  the  sun  was  sinking,  and 


278  Lewey  and  L 


the  chill  air  of  the  coming  night  swept  through  the  valley,  fresh  from  the 
waters  and  snow-crowned  mountains  of  the  northern  sierras. 

The  owner  of  the  ranche,  an  aged  Mexican,  and  a  priest,  came  out  to 
meet  us  and  make  us  welcome.  Captain  Fernando  had  passed  that  way 
the  day  before,  and  stated  who  would  follow  him,  so  that  there  was  no  sur- 
prise expressed  as  we  drove  up.  The  holy  father  belonged  to  the.  Mission 
Carmel,  four  miles  from  Monterey,  was  on  a  tour  of  confession  and  chris- 
tening, and  ready  to  marry  such  as  desired  to  enter  the  holy  bands  of 
matrimony. 

"  Welcome,  daughters,  to  such  as  the  house  affords,"  the  padre  said,  as 
he  came  forward  and  assisted  the  women  to  alight,  while  the  aged  Mexican 
stood  uncovered,  out  of  respect  to  the  rank  of  the  ladies.  "  We  could  have 
wished,"  the  priest  continued,  "that  your  reception  and  entertainment  were 
more  regal,  but  the  government  troops  were  here  last  night,  and  they  did 
not  leave  much  of  any  value  behind,"  and  here  the  good  man  smiled,  and 
glanced  at  the  sister  of  the  captain  of  the  cavalry  company,  but  the  Senora 
Costello  did  not  seem  to  think  that  any  apology  was  needed  for  the  conduct 
of  the  men,  for  she  simply  said,  — 

"  Holy  father,  I  suppose  soldiers  must  live  the  same  as  priests." 

"Yes,  child,  but  they  need  not  steal  what  they  can't  eat.  But  God  be 
with  you,  daughters.  Enter  the  house,  and  supper  shall  be  served 
immediately." 

As  we  were  not  invited  we  piquetted  our  horses,  found  them  a  mess  of 
barley,  and  made  preparations  for  spending  the  night.  As  we  knew  that 
we  should  not  be  permitted  to  sleep  in  the  house  we  cleared  out  a  place  in 
the  out-building,  and  then  waited  for  such  portion  of  supper  as  the  ladies 
might  be  disposed  to  send  us,  and  I  am  glad  to  state,  for  the  honor  of  the 
sex,  that- we  were  not  forgotten,  as  we  had  a  bountiful  supply  of  frijoles  and 
tortillas,  and  some  coffee,  the  latter  none  too  good,  as  the  cook  had  not  set- 
tled it,  in  his  haste  to  serve  the  distinguished  visitors. 

While  we  were  disposing  of  the  food  the  priest  came  toward  us,  and 
raised  his  hands  over  our  heads.  We  saw  what  was  coming,  arose,  and 
stood  uncovered  before  him. 

"  Soldiers,"  he  said,  "  the  ladies  have  told  me  of  your  bravery.  Al- 
though you  are  foreigners  and  heretics  take  an  old  man's  blessing.  It  nev- 
er yet  harmed  any  one." 

"  Holy  father,"  said  Lewey,  "  I  am  a  Catholic,  but  not  a  good  one." 

Here  I  nodded  an  assent,  and  my  friend  continued,  — 

"  I  do  not  make  love  to  every  pretty  face  that  I  see,  like  some  gringos  I 


Lewey  and  I.  279 


could  mention,  yet   I  have  not  confessed  for  many  months.     Will  it  please 
you  to  hear  me  if  you  have  the  time  and  patience  ?  " 

"  Holy  father,"  I  remarked,  "  if  he  makes  a  full  confession  you  will  have 
no  sleep  tonight.  Better  take  him  by  installments.  Two  or  three  hours 
this  evening,  and  the  rest  early  in  the  morning." 

The  good  priest  did  not  smile  at  the  words.     He  simply  said,  — 

"  As  a  servant  of  the  church  I  will  give  your  friend  all  the  time  he  re- 
quires," and  the  two  walked  to  a  secluded  spot,  and  Lewey  must  have  had 
a  long  catalogue  of  sins  to  answer  for,  as  he  was  gone  an  hour  or  more,  and 
when  he  returned  said  that  he  was  all  right  for  a  year  at  least. 

The  ladies  came  out  in  the  court  yard  and  sat  for  a  while,  their  shoulders 
covered  with  scrapes  to  keep  off  the  heavy  dew  and  cold  night  air.  They 
were  very  pleasant,  and  spoke  more  than  once  of  the  service  we  had  ren- 
dered them,  and  how  grateful  they  felt  for  our  exertions  in  their  behalf. 
Then  Senora  Costello  complained  of  fatigue,  and  gave  me  her  hand  as  she 
bade  me  a  quiet  good-night,  and  a  hope  that  I  might  sleep  well. 

We  were  not  disturbed  by  the  cries  of  the  coyotes,  and  got  up  and  washed 
long  before  the  ladies  were  dressed  and  ready  to  show  themselves.  We 
fed  our  horses,  had  breakfast,  and  by  eight  o'clock  once  more  resumed  our 
way,  and  nothing  happened  of  interest  until  we  were  ten  miles  from  the 
Carmel  Mission,  then,  while  climbing  a  mountain,  at  a  snail's  pace,  for  the 
trail  was  rugged,  four  men  stepped  from  the  bushes,  rifles  in  hand,  huge 
knives  in  their  belts,  and  pepper-pot  revolvers  on  their  hips. 

"  The  saints  preserve  us,"  the  ladies  exclaimed,  "  here  are  more  ladrones, 
and  no  retreat." 

We  could  not  turn  the  volante,  and  if  we  had  it  would  have  been  of  no 
use,  for  the  strangers  might  shoot  the  mules  from  where  they  stood,  and 
not  half  try. 

I  knew  from  the  dress  and  appearance  of  the  men  that  we  had  not  fallen 
in  with  another  party  of  Mexican  ladrones,  but  four  American  trappers,  and 
what  they  could  want  of  us  was  a  mystery. 

"Put  up  your  rifle,  Lewey,"  I  said,  as  my  friend  began  to  unsling  the 
weapon  from  his  back.  "  Here  we  will  find  better  marksmen  than  our- 
selves, and  before  we  could  fire  they  would  riddle  our  bodies  with  bullets. 
Let  me  deal  with  these  people,  for  fighting  is  of  no  use  with  such  odds 
against  us.  If  they  are  Americans  I  can  manage  better  with  them  than  you." 
"  Senors,"  cried  the  two  ladies,  thrusting  their  heads  out  of  the  side  of 
the  volante,  and  looking  a  little  alarmed,  while  Senora  Costello  clasped  her 
child  close  to  her  breast,  "  we  hope  there  is  no  danger  to  you  and  us." 


2go  Lewey  and  I. 


"  I  trust  not,  ladies,"  I  answered,  "  but  we  must  hope  for  the  best.  Re- 
main calm  and  quiet  while  I  go  forward  to  meet  the  strangers,  and  question 
them." 

Followed  by  Jack  I  rode  slowly  forward,  the  trappers  still  remaining  near 
the  centre  of  the  trail,  their  rifles  carelessly  thrown  across  the  bend  of  their 
arms,  and  right  hands  on  the  locks  of  their  guns.  They  looked  at  me  with 
as  much  curiosity  as  I  manifested,  and,  when  I  was  within  a  few  paces  of 
the  men,  they  motioned  for  me  to  halt,  and  I  obeyed  the  mandate  without 
delay.  They  were  tall,  brawny,  muscular  fellows,  wearing  red  shirts  and 
slouched  hats,  and  on  their  feet  they  had  Indian  moccasins,  trimmed  with 
beads  and  porcupine  quills.  Their  eyes  were  bright  and  very  alert,  and 
seemed  ever  watchful,  as  though  expecting  an  enemy  to  appear  near  them 
at  any.  moment. 

"  Tip  the  greaser  a  little  Mexican  lingo,  Bill,"  one  of  the  trappers  said  to 
a  comrade,  who  was  supposed  to  be  the  linguist  of  the  party,  and,  thus 
urged,  the  man  who  was  addressed  as  Bill  took  a  step  forward,  and 
said,  — 

"  Buenos  days,  saynor  ?  " 

I  laughed  as  I  answered,  — 

"  I  think  we  had  better  palaver  in  English,  gentlemen.  We  shall  under- 
stand each  other  better." 

"  Blank  me,  the  fellow  a'n't  no  greaser,"  Bill  remarked.  "  Mexicans 
don't  speak  like  that  'ere." 

"  No,  gentlemen,  I  am  an  American  like  yourselves,"  I  said. 

"  Then  what  is  yer  doin'  on  here  ? "  was  the  next  question.  "  Ride  up 
and  let 's  take  a  squint  at  yer  close  to." 

I  rode  near  the  men,  and  they  looked  me  all  over,  and  seemed  a  little  puz- 
zled at  my  Mexican  costume. 

"  Whar  did  yer  come  from,  pard?"  one  of  the  trappers  asked. 

"  Santa  Barbara." 

"  Will,  jist  tumble  off  that  'ere  hoss  for  a  minute.  We  wants  to  talk 
with  yer  for  a  while,"  and  I  obeyed  the  request,  as  I  knew  it  would  not  do 
me  any  good  to  refuse  the  polite  command. 

"  Sot  yerself  down  on  that  stump,  stranger,"  one  of  the  men  said,  the 
person  who  seemed  to  be  the  leader  of  the  party. 

I  obeyed,  pulled  out  my  pipe,  lighted  it,  and  smoked  with  apparent  un- 
concern. The  men  imitated  my  example  in  the  pipe  line. 

"  Keep  yer  eyes  peeled  for  the  greasers,  Bill,"  the  leader  said.  "  There 
may  be  some  scoutin'  round  here,  although  T  think  not.  We  don't  want 


Lewey  and  I.  283 


to  be  took  by  surpiise  nohow,  jist  at  this  time,"  and  then  the  man  turned  to 
me  and  resumed  his  questioning. 

"  Who  is  you  anyway,  stranger  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  have  told  you.  I  am  an  American,  formerly  a  sailor,  but  left  my  ship 
at  the  end  of  the  voyage  for  the  purpose  of  marrying  and  living  in  the 
country." 

As  I  mentioned  the  word  "  marrying "  all  of  the  men  laughed,  but  in  a 
subdued  manner,  as  though  they  were  not  accustomed  to  make  any  noise 
when  giving  expression  to  their  mirth. 

"  What  ship  was  you  on,  stranger?"  demanded  the  leader. 

"  The  Admittance,  of  Boston,"  was  my  prompt  "answer. 

One  of  the  men  gave  me  a  sharp  look,  and  asked,  — 

"  What  was  the  name  of  the  skipper  of  that  ;ere  ship  ?  " 

"  Captain  Peterson." 

"  Korrect,"  was  the  ejaculation.  "  Now  one  thing  more.  That  'ere  ship 
was  at  Santa  Barbara  one  time,  and  a  party  of  trappers  was  aboard  of  her. 
Now,  stranger,  what  did  them  'ere  men  do  while  they  was  thar  ?  " 

"  In  the  first  place,"  I  said  "  they  all  had  a  tot  of  aguardiente,  and  then 
fired  at  champagne  bottles  hung  from  the  yard-arm." 

"  Korrect  to  a  hair,' '  was  the  complacent  expression  of  the  questioner. 
"  I  was  thar,  mate,  and  knowed  all  about  it." 

"  You  bet,  especially  the  rum  part,"  one  of  the  trappers  cried,  and  a  sub- 
dued chuckle  passed  around  the  group. 

I  did  not  remember  the  man,  but  had  no  doubt  he  was  on  board  the  Ad- 
mittance at  the  time,  as  we  were  often  visited  by  trappers  for  the  purpose 
of  buying  powder  and  lead. 

"  Now  one  thing  more,  pard,"  the  questioner  asked.  "  What  else  did  we 
do?" 

"  You  desired  to  borrow  one  of  our  boats  so  that  you  could  hunt  otter  in 
the  kelp,"  I  said.  "  The  captain  refused  to  let  you  have  the  gig  as  he  feared 
trouble  from  the  greasers." 

"  That 's  gospel  truth.  Yer  was  thar,  stranger,  as  sure  as  yer  are  alive. 
There  's  no  make  up  in  that  yarn.  Yer  Yankee  fast  enough." 

"  That  ?s  all  very  well,"  the  leader  remarked,  "  but  we  wants  some  other 
things  jist  now.  Whar  is  yer  goin'  ?  and  who  has  yer  with  yer  ?  " 

"  I  am  on  my  way  to  Monterey,  and  my  shipmate  and  myself  are  escort- 
ing two  ladies  to  that  town  to  join  their  husbands,"  was  my  prompt 
reply. 

"  Who  is  the  women  ?  " 


;P>4  Lewey  and  I. 


"  I  have  told  you,  —  ladies." 

"  Well,  all  women  is  ladies,  a'n't  they  ?  " 

"  Not  in  every  case.  These  are  real  ladies  under  our  protection,  and  we 
mean  to  see  them  safely  to  their  homes." 

"  That  is  all  right,  stranger,"  was  the  gruff  reply.  "  We  don't  object  to 
that  by  any  means.  What  we  want  to  know  is  this, — has  yer  seen  any- 
thing of  the  greaser  soldiers  about  here  ?  " 

"  We  heard  that  a  troop  of  cavalry  was  just  ahead  of  us,"  I  answered,  for 
I  thought  the  men  would  realize  the  fact  as  well  as  ourselves  if  they  were 
out  on  a  scout. 

"  That 's  the  truth.  Now  yer  know  that  the  United  States  and  Mexico 
is  at  war,  don't  yer  ?  "  the  leader  asked. 

"  I  have  heard  so." 

"  Well,  it 's  a  fact.     Now  which  side  does  you  take  in  the  fight  ? " 

"  Can  you  doubt  ? "  I  asked,  and  the  answer  seemed  to  satisfy  the  man, 
for  he  said,  — 

"  That  's  all  right.  Now  we  wants  you  to  go  with  us  and  see  the 
cap'en." 

"  What  captain  ? " 

"  Fremont.  He  's  not  far  from  here,  and  might  like  to  question  yer  on 
some  pints  we  has  neglected  to  call  up." 

"  You  must  excuse  me  this  time,"  I  said.  "  I  hope  to  see  him  here- 
after." 

"  Could  n't  we  persuade  yer  to  go  ? "  the  leader  asked  with  a  smile,  a 
very  significant  one. 

"  Certainly,  for  you  are  in  force,  and  we  are  weak,  but  I  trust  American 
trappers  will  respect  the  ladies  and  their  escort." 

"  What 's  the  use,  Jim  ?  "  the  man  who  had  been  on  board  the  Admit- 
tance remarked.  "  The  Yank  is  all  right.  Let  him  and  the  women  folks 
go." 

Most  of  the  men  nodded  an  assent. 

"  I  a'n't  no  objections.  You  can  travel,  and  mind  yer  don't  mention  hav- 
in'  met  us  on  the  trail,"  and  the  leader  motioned  for  me  to  continue  my 
journey  with  the  volante  and  ladies. 

"  By  the  way,"  I  asked,  as  I  mounted  my  horse,  and  prepared  to  join  my 
anxious  friends,  "is  Captain  Fremont  encamped  near  here  ?" 

"  Never  yer  mind  whether  he  is  or  not,"  was  the  short  answer. 

"  How  many  men  has  he  under  his  command  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  None  of  yer  business." 


Lewey  and  L 


"  Is  he  on  the  war  path  ?  "  I  ventured  to  question. 

"Will  yer  git,  yer  everlastin'  poll  parrot?"  the  trapper  remarked,  and 
threw  up  his  lifle  in  an  ominous  manner,  and  I  feared  he  meant  business. 
I  touched  my  hat,  and  galloped  back  to  the  ladies.  When  I  reached  them 
1  glanced  along  the  trail,  but  not  a  single  person  except  our  party  was  in 
sight.  The  scouts  had  vanished  as  suddenly  as  they  appeared,  and  left  no 
sign  of  the  direction  in  which  they  had  gone,  yet  I  had  no  doubt  they  were 
watching  our  movements  from  the  midst  of  some  thicket,  and  hearing  all  of 
our  conversation. 

"Who  were  the  men?"  asked  Senora  Castro,  as  soon  as  I  was  within 
speaking  distance. 

"  Some  trappers  who  were  uncertain  about  visiting  Monterey,  fearing  the 
trouble  would  cause  them  to  be  held  as  prisoners.  They  will  soon  cross 
the  mountains,  and  go  back  to  their  hunting  grounds." 

The  ladies  were  satisfied  with  the  explanation,  and  Senora  Costello 
flashed  me  a  warm  look  of  thanks  from  her  bright  eyes,  and  make  a  motion 
with  her  lips  as  though  she  owed  me  a  kiss. 

"  Dat  is  von  big  lie,"  Lewey  said  in  English,  as  we  resumed  our  snail- 
like  pace  up  the  side  of  the  mountain.  "  Dem  men  vas  scouts,  and  you 
knows  it.  Vas  it  a  tight  squeeze  to  git  us  by  dem  ?  " 

"  You  had  better  believe  it  was.  Captain  Fremont  is  encamped  near 
here  I  think,  and  that  means  bad  luck  for  the  greasers.  Those  trappers 
are  some  of  his  scouts,  and  are  keeping  a  sharp  watch  over  the  trails.  If 
they  had  suspected  that  one  of  our  ladies  was  the  wife  of  General  Castro 
they  might  have  held  her  as  a  hostage,  although  our  countrymen  do  not 
make  war  on  women.  Remember,  Lewey,  we  know  nothing  of  the  object 
of  these  men.  They  were  only  trappers,  you  recollect." 

"  All  right,"  was  the  cheery  answer,  for  my  French  friend  took  the  hint 
without  delay. 

When  we  had  crawled  to  the  top  of  the  mountain  a  magnificent  sight 
met  our  view.  The  mules  were  so  tired  we  concluded  to  remain  where  we 
were  and  eat  our  luncheon,  having  no  fear  of  further  molestation,  as  the 
town  of  Monterey  was  in  sight,  although  at  some  distance,  yet  it  seemed  to 
be  almost  beneath  our  feet.  The  bright  blue  waters  of  the  bay  were  rip- 
pling and  dancing  under  a  gentle  southwest  wind,  and  all  along  the  exten- 
sive, crescent-shaped  beach  the  white  surf  was  rolling  and  tumbling,  re- 
minding us  of  hide-droghing  days,  when  we  were  wet  from  morning  until 
night,  yet  happy  and  careless  of  the  future.  Across  the  bay  we  could  see 
the  sand  hills  of  Santa  Cruz,  and  nearer,  the  black  rocks  of  the  Point  of 


286  Lewey  and  I. 


Pines,  and  the  dark,  sombre  trees  in  their  rear.  Close  by  was  the  Mission 
Carmel,  the  walls  falling  to  decay,  and  affording  shelter  for  but  few  priests, 
the  owners  of  not  many  cattle,  as  the  Mexican  government  had  seized  on 
all  that  was  valuable,  and  converted  them  into  money  for  the  benefit  of  ad- 
ministradors  and  other  speculators. 

The  ladies  were  delighted  with  the  view.  Even  husbands  were  forgotten 
for  a  moment,  as  the  senoras  sat  on  a  rock  and  looked  off  toward  the  town 
and  bay.  There  was  but  one  vessel  in  the  roadstead,  and  that  we  sup- 
posed was  the  war-like  schooner  California,  Captain  Cooper,  and  I  shud- 
dered at  the  fate  of  our  national  ships,  should  any  enter  the  harbor  and  en- 
gage the  terror  in  battle,  with  its  crew  of  kanakas,  and  old  Queen  Anne 
muskets  for  cannon. 

We  found  a  spring  of  sparkling  water,  but  had  nothing  to  eat  except  a 
few  hard-boiled  eggs.  I  was  about  to  take  my  rifle  to  try  and  find  a  deer 
when  a  strange-looking  Indian  appeared  on  the  scene,  with  a  hind-quarter 
of  venison  on  his  shoulder. 

He  did  not  resemble  the  California  native  in  feature  or  color,  dress  or 
appearance.  He  carried  a  li^'ht  rifle  in  his  hand,  and  showed  no  fear,  as  he 
approached  us  quite  boldly,  with  a  firm  step  and  upright  form,  and  eyes  of 
fire. 

I  spoke  to  him  in  Spanish,  but  the  Indian  shook  his  head  as  though  he 
did  not  understand. 

"  You  speak  English  ? "  I  said,  and  the  stranger  nodded. 

"  Will  you  give  us  a  portion  of  your  meat  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Yes;  take  what  you  want." 

He  threw  the  venison  on  the  stones,  and  Lewey  cut  off  what  we  needed 
for  broiling  on  the  coals. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  I  asked,  as  I  gave  the  man  a  piece  of  tobacco  in  pay- 
ment for  the  meat. 

"  Me  Delaware  Indian,"  was  the  proud  response. 

"  Who  is  with  you  ?  " 

"  Fremont." 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  I  asked. 

"How  should  I  know?"  was  the  guarded  reply.  "  He  here  today,  to- 
morrow he  gone.  Who  knows  where  he  goes  ?  The  wind  will  not  tell  the 
secret.  Delaware  Indian  no  talk  too  much.  No  good." 

He  rose  up  and  took  his  venison,  disappearing  in  the  forest,  and  that  was 
the  last  we  saw  of  him. '  He  was  one  of  Fremont's  celebrated  Indian  scouts, 
and  followed  his  commander  from  the  Missouri  clear  across  the  continent 


Lewey  and  L  287 


suffering  hunger  and  thirst,  danger  and  almost  death  for  the  sake  of  being 
on  a  trail,  or  hunting  expedition. 

I  was  not  sorry  when  the  Indian  disappeared  from  sight,  for  I  did  n't 
know  but  he  might  be  on  the  war  path.  He  had  been  scouting  through  the 
country,  killed  a  deer  during  his  wanderings,  and  was  now  returning  to 
camp,  wherever  it  was  located. 

The  ladies  asked  about  the  Delaware,  and  I  told  them  he  belonged  to  the 
trappers  we  had  met,  and  they  were  satisfied,  but  Lewey  put  a  finger  to  his 
head,  and  drew  an  imaginary  knife  around  his  brow,  as  though  he  thought 
the  Indian  was  after  scalps,  but  I  think  my  friend  was  wrong. 

As  soon  as  we  had  finished  our  plain  repast  we  once  more  resumed  our 
journey.  Then  we  had  to  lock  the  wheels  of  the  volante,  for  our  course  was 
down  the  steep  side  of  the  mountain,  and  the  mules  were  to  slide  as  well  as 
hold  back.  I  thought  the  danger  so  great  that  I  begged  Senora  Costello  to 
ride  my  horse  anji  let  me  lead  him,  and  Lewey  made  the  same  proffer  to 
Senora  Castro.  Both  ladies  were  wise  enough  to  accept  the  offer,  and,  with 
the  child  resting  in  its  mother's  lap  and  arms,  my  gallant  mustang  carefully 
picked  his  way  down  the  mountain,  as  though  proud  of  the  beauty  on  his 
back,  and  rather  liked  the  change  of  riders. 

We  reached  the  base  of  the  mountains  in  safety,  even  the  carriage  suffer- 
ing no  damage,  and  then  once  more  the  ladies  resumed  their  proper  places 
in  the  vehicle,  and  we  dashed  past  the  old  mission  toward  the  town. 

As  we  drew  near  the  village  we  heard  the  braying  of  trumpets,  and  saw 
our  gallant  companions-in-arms  on  the  plaza,  undergoing  review  by  rich- 
ly-dressed officers.  The  scamps  did  not  present  a  very  military  aspect,  and 
the  line  was  not  as  straight  as  some  mathematical  demonstrations.  Captain 
Fernando  was  at  the  head  of  his  corps,  and  the  fierce  little  sergeant  was 
awful  in  his  profanity  as  he  damned  every  one  who  did  not  sit  his  horse 
and  act  like  a  cavalryman. 

Our  arrival  attracted  much  attention,  for  it  was  not  often  that  a  volante 
was  seen  in  the  streets  of  Monterey.  General  Castro  saw  his  wife,  dis- 
missed the  inspection  in  all  haste,  and  galloped  toward  us.  There  was  an 
affectionate  embrace,  and  then  the  husband  of  the  pretty  little  wife  came 
forward,  and  I  envied  him  the  kisses  he  received,  for  she  did  not  seem  to 
remember  those  which  had  been  bestowed  on  me  during  the  journey. 

Captain  Fernando  left  his  fiery  sergeant  to  get  his  men  back  to  the  bar- 
racks, and  then  exchanged  a  few  words  with  his  sister.  She  must  have 
told  him  how  boldly  we  had  acted,  for  he  thanked  us,  and  then  turned  to 
the  general, 


288  Lewey  and  I. 


"These  are  the  men  I  spoke  about  to  your  excellency,"  the  young  cap- 
tain said.  "  They  have  added  another  chain  of  gratitude  by  repulsing  a 
party  of  ladrones  who  made  an  attack  on  them.  Your  wife  will  give  you 
the  particulars  at  her  leisure." 

"I  can  relate  some  of  them  now,"  the  lady  said.  "To  these  gallant 
young  men  are  we  indebted  for  our  lives  and  honor.  General,  you  must  do 
something  for  them.  Discharge  both  from  the  army,  and  let  them  return 
and  marry  the  girls  they  love." 

Of  course  Castro  laughed.  We  expected  he  would  do  so,  and  were  not 
disappointed. 

"Any  request  that  you  make,  my  dear,  I  shall  comply  with,"  was  the  sat- 
isfactory answer,  but  just  at  that  moment  a  familiar  voice  was  heard  near 
us,  and,  turning,  we  saw  the  sardonic  face  of  Don  Antonio  Sanchos.  The 
scoundrel  had  pressed  forward,  and  listened  to  the  conversation.  Then  he 
put  in  his  oar,  just  as  we  expected  he  would. 

"  I  trust  that  your  excellency  will  give  me  a  hearing  before  you  comply 
with  the  lady's  request,"  he  said.  "  I  can  show  you  good  evidence  that  the 
gringos  are  dangerous  sospechosos,  and  have  been  acting  as  spies  for  the 
Americanos." 

"  You  are  a  lying  dog,"  cried  the  fiery  Captain  Fernando.  "  You  mean 
enganchador,  how  dare  you  come  near  ladies  and  gentlemen  when  they  are 
conversing  ? " 

He  raised  his  right  hand,  and  struck  Sanchos  a  ringing  blow  on  the 
face,  a  blow  so  severe  that  the  villain  staggered  back,  and  blood  flowed 
from  his  nose. 

Don  Sanchos'  first  impulse  was  to  put  his  hand  on  the  hilt  of  his  long 
knife.  Then  he  thought  better  of  it,  for  the  young  officer  said,  in  a  tone  of 
scorn,  — 

"  Oh,  draw  your  cuchillo  if  you  desire  to,  but  the  instant  you  raise  a  hand 
I  '11  run  my  sword  through  your  body.  General,  it  is  a  disgrace  to  keep 
such  scoundrels  in  the  service  of  the  State.  Instead  of  being  a  benefit  he 
is  an  injury.  I  have  some  of  his  doings  to  report  to  you  at  the  first  conven- 
ient opportunity." 

"  I  wish,"  cried  Senora  Costello,  clapping  her  little  hands,  "  that  you 
would  hit  the  scamp  one  more  good  blow  for  me,  O  brother  mine.  I  should 
like  it  so  much  if  you  would." 

But  Don  Sanchos  had  slunk  away  in  the  crowd,  and  the  perplexed  gener- 
al, who  was  distracted  with  the  thoughts  of  Fremont,  the  war,  and  the  re- 
turn of  his  wife,  said  that  he  would  do  justice,  and  ordered  the  volante  to 


Lewey  and  I.  289 


move  on  to  his  official  residence,  where  the  governors  usually  resided,  near 
the  hall  where  Lewey  and  I  gave  our  celebrated  exhibition  of  legerde- 
main. 

"  I  have  quartered  you  and  your  friend  at  my  sister's  residence,"  Captain 
Fernando  said,  as  the  carriage  rolled  away.  "  She  will  make  you  comforta- 
ble, and  be  sure  that  you  protect  her,  and  look  after  her  welfare  in  case 
some  rambling  soldier  invades  the  premises.  You  will  have  no  other  duty 
for  the  present.  And  now  listen  to  me  for  a  moment.  Keep  in  the  house 
nights.  Sanchos  has  not  forgotten  or  forgiven  you.  He  carries  a  sharp 
knife,  and  knows  how  to  use  it." 

"  Do  you  not  fear  him  ?  "   I  asked. 

"No.  The  villain  is  a  coward,  and  dare  not  strike  at  me.  If  he  did  his 
fate  would  be  no  uncertain  one.  It  is  people  like  you  who  feel  his  rage. 
But  go  to  the  house  and  rest.  I  must  look  after  my  men,  for  they  are  in- 
clined to  steal  here  as  well  as  at  San  Luis  Obispo." 

We  rode  through  the  crowded  streets,  for  there  were  some  five  hundred 
soldiers  in  town,  getting  ready  to  make  an  attack  on  Captain  Fremont  and 
his  men,  and,  as  we  passed  the  house  of  the  American  consul,  Mr.  Thomas 
O.  Larkin,  we  saw  the  gentleman  sitting  on  the  veranda  of  his  residence, 
talking  with  his  half-brother,  Captain  Cooper,  the  commander  of  the  schoon- 
er California,  the  only  Mexican  man-of-war  on  the  coast,  and  she  carried 
but  four  men  and  an  old  musket. 

Neither  of  the  gentlemen  recollected  us  until  I  dismounted,  went  toward 
them,  and  spoke.  Then  they  were  astonished,  for  they  supposed  we  were 
at  home. 

"  What  in  heaven's  name  possessed  you  to  leave  your  vessel  at  such  a 
time  as  this  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Larkin,  his  right  hand  to  his  ear,  so  that  he 
could  hear  my  reply,  as  he  pretended  to  be  a  little  deaf  at  times,  or  perhaps 
he  was  hard  of  hearing. 

"  We  were  in  love,  and  wanted  to  get  married,"  I  answered,  and  knew 
what  would  follow,  for  of  course  both  laughed,  and  Captain  Cooper  made  a 
savage  bite  at  his  maimed  hand,  and  kindly  said,  — 

"  What  blanked  fools." 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  "  Mr.  Larkin  asked,  as  soon  as  he  could  re- 
cover his  composure. 

"  We  have  just  arrived  as  the  escort  of  Senoras  Castro  and  Costello. 
The  fact  of  it  is  we  were  impressed  in  the  Mexican  army  at  Ranche  Rufugio 
just  as  we  were  about  to  be  married,  and  forced  to  march  or  die.  We 
preferred  the  former." 


290  Lewey  and  /. 


"  Good  for  the  Mexicans,"  Captain  Cooper  cried.  "  You  will  live  to 
bless  them  some  day  for  doing  you  a  service." 

"  I  will  soon  set  you  free  from  the  army,"  the  American  consul  remarked. 
"  Tomorrow  I  will  speak  to  General  Castro  on  the  subject.  They  have  no 
right  to  impress  an  American  or  a  Frenchman.  Perhaps  I  can  make  the 
government  pay  you  damages." 

"  But  we  are  matriculadors,"  I  said. 

"  The  devil  you  are  !  That  alters  the  case.  What  fools  boys  do  make  of 
themselves.  But  I  '11  get  you  discharged  just  the  same,  or  know  the  reason 
why,"  and  the  representative  of  American  honor  scowled  at  a  greaser  sol- 
dier who  passed  just  at  that  moment,  and  shouted,  — 

"  Down  with  the  Americano  gringos  and  their  representative,"  meaning 
that  the  warrior  wanted  to  share  in  the  sacking  of  the  consul's  house,  and 
steal  a  few  of  the  dollars  he  had  on  the  premises.  The  fellow  paid  no  at- 
tention to  us,  for  he  supposed  we  were  Mexicans,  being  dressed  in  the 
national  costume. 

"Just  wait  a  little  while,  you  miserable  dog,"  Mr.  Larkin  muttered,  and 
then  in  a  whisper,  speaking  to  me,  "  In  a  few  weeks  the  frigates  Congress, 
Independence,  and  Cumberland  will  be  in  the  harbor,  and  then  we  will  see 
who  can  talk  the  loudest.  But  keep  this  to  yourself  for  the  present,  for  it 
is  not  generally  known  that  the  ships  are  on  their  way  to  this  port." 

"  If  this  is  the  case  perhaps  it  would  be  advisable  to  move  the  schooner 
California  to  safer  quarters,"  I  said,  addressing  Captain  Cooper,  the  com- 
mander, but  the  old  salt  took  a  ferocious  nip  at  his  hand,  and  declared  that 
he  would  fight  the  whole  Yankee  fleet,  and  sink  it  in  the  bay  if  it  dared  to 
venture  near  him. 

As  we  did  not  believe  the  captain  was  in  earnest  we  laughed  at  him  and 
his  threat,  and  moved  off  to  find  the  house  of  Senora  Costello,  where  we 
were  to  be  quartered.  We  knew  the  place  very  well.  It  was  a  pretentious 
adobe  building,  a  little  off  the  main  street,  yet  near  the  plaza.  Attached  to 
the  premises  was  a  corral  for  horses,  and  a  shed  for  the  storing  of  rubbish, 
saddles  and  the  Indian  servants. 

I  entered  the  house,  and  announced  to  the  mistress  of  the  place  that  we 
were  detailed  to  protect  herself  and  family,  and  she  did  not  seem  in  the 
least  surprised.  In  fact,  I  think  the  arrangement  wa^  one  she  had  made 
with  her  brother,  as  she  put  more  confidence  in  us  than  in  her  countrymen, 
just  at  that  time,  when  so  much  lawlessness  prevailed  all  over  the  State. 
Her  husband  was  at  the  government  house,  being  an  officer  of  some  kind, 
so  was  not  at  home  to  welcome  us  in  proper  shape,  but  as  the  lady  was  the 


Lewey  and  I. 


smarter  of  the  two  it  did  not  matter  much.  She  told  us  what  to  do.  We 
were  to  turn  our  horses  loose  in  the  corral,  we  could  find  some  barley  in 
the  shed,  our  saddles  might  be  stowed  away  anywhere,  and  we  were  to 
sleep  in  the  house,  on  our  own  blankets,  and  eat  when  we  got  a  chance, 
which  was  quite  satisfactory,  as  we  were  accustomed  to  Mexican  irregulari- 
ties on  the  food  question. 

The  peons  looked  on  in  wondering  surprise,  and  did  not  seem  disposed 
to  regard  us  with  favor,  but  Senora  Costello  told  them  we  were  the  most 
wonderful  killers  of  Apache  Indians  e^ver  known,  and  then  they  changed 
their  tone,  and  seemed  disposed  to  do  all  they  could  to  keep  us  in  good 
humor,  fearing  for  their  scalps. 

As  soon  as  our  traps  were  disposed  of  we  fed  our  horses,  and  then  went 
in  search  of  some  new  or  clean  clothes,  for  those  we  had  on  were  not  as 
fresh  as  they  might  have  been,  having  worn  them  all  the  way  from  San 
Diego  without  a  change,  and  I  regret  to  say  that  our  trousers  were  decided- 
ly dilapidated  on  seats  and  legs,  and  a  little  off  color,  through  dust  and 
perspiration. 

We  passed  along,  and  saw  Cook  sitting  in  the  door  of  his  pulperia,  his 
nose  a  little  redder  than  usual,  and  a  general  air  of  dejection  seeming  to 
pervade  the  man  and  his  place.  He  did  not  recollect  us  at  first,  and,  when 
he  did  recall  our  faces,  sighed  deeply  as  he  thought  of  flush  times  when  men- 
of-war  were  in  port,  and  sailors  buying  aguardiente  at  a  real  a  glass,  and 
getting  fighting  drunk  before  sundown. 

"  Ah,  but  these  are  awful  times,"  the  old  fellow  sighed.  "  There  's  a 
crowd  of  people  here  in  the  streets,  but  not  one  has  a  real  in  his  pockets. 
They  are  the  poorest  lot  of  greasers  ever  known  in  the  town.  Why,  I 
could  sell  a  barrel  of  rum  a  day,  at  two  reals  a  glass,  if  I  wanted  to  give 
credit.  But  come  in  and  have  a  drop  of  somethin'  for  the  sake  of  old 
times." 

We  declined  his  invitation  to  drink,  as  we  were  not  in  want  of  stimulants, 
but  did  enter  the  old  shanty,  close  to  the  custom  house,  a  well-Tcnown  land- 
mark for  many  years  to  those  familiar  with  the  coast. 

We  saw  a  lot  of  shirts  and  clothes  piled  up  on  his  shelves,  which  he  had 
taken  for  rum  from  man-of-wars'  men  and  Mexicans.  We  looked  the  stock 
over,  found  it  was  new  and  in  good  order,  and  just  what  we  needed  for 
wear. 

Now  if  we  had  said  we  wanted  to  buy  the  goods,  the  old  fellow  would  have 
put  on  a  fictitious  price,  and  made  a  big  profit,  but,  as  we  did  not  speak  of 
purchasing,  he  thought  a  sale  could  be  effected  by  a  little  plain  talk. 


Lewey  and  L 


"  Fit  yourselves  out  with  a  suit,"  he  said.  "  I  '11  sell  dog  cheap.  There 
are  some  Mexican  costumes  I  bought  of  a  tailor.  He  got  drunk  and  pawned 
them.  All  good  cloth  and  nice  bell  buttons,  imitation  of  silver.  The  blue 
shirts  came  from  a  man-of-war,  just  out  of  the  slop-chest.  Take  two  for  a 
dollar  each.  It 's  less  than  they  cost  me  in  the  way  of  trade.  Say  a  whole 
suit  for  five  dollars.  You  won't  ?  Well,  take  it  for  four,  and  not  a  medio 
less,  if  I  starve." 

As  the  price  was  low  we  bought  two  complete  suits,  returned  to  the 
house,  found  some  soap  and  watet,  had  a  good  wash,  and  donned  our  new 
garments,  feeling  all  the  better  for  being  clean  once  more,  even  forcing 
Senora  Costello  to  utter  a  few  words  of  commendation  on  our  changed 
appearance. 

When  the  husband  came  home  he  was  profuse  in  his  thanks  for  the  care 
we  had  taken  of  his  wife,  and  said  that  the  house  was  ours,  which  we  knew 
did  not  mean  anything,  for  we  had  heard  the  same  thing  many  times  be- 
fore. However,  he  gave  us  some  supper,  and  then  we  remained  under 
cover  all  the  evening,  as  we  remembered  the  warning  Captain  Fernando 
had  given  us. 

We  slept  in  the  room  that  was  usually  reserved  for  the  reception  of 
guests,  and  for  taking  such  hasty  meals  as  were  provided  by  the  cooks  when 
they  felt  like  it.  I  do  not  know  what  hour  of  the  night  I  was  awakened 
from  a  heavy  sleep  by  the  movement  of  the  house,  which  was  rolling  and 
pitching  like  a  ship  in  a  light  sea,  and  for  a  moment  thought  that  I  was 
on  board  the  old  Admittance.  Lewey  was  snoring  by  my  side,  and  not  dis- 
turbed by  the  tumult. 

I  started  up,  and  listened,  and  then  from  the  plaza  heard  the  loud  clang- 
ing of  the  church  bells,  the  yells  of  people  in  the  streets,  as  though  some- 
thing extraordinary  had  occurred. 

"  Lewey,"  I  said,  giving  my  French  friend  a  kick,  "  there  's  a  tornado  or 
a  new  revolution,  1  do  not  know  which,  but  if  we  remain  here  we  '11  be 
buried  alive." 

"Let  her  rip,"  was  the  half-awakened  reply,  and,  turning  over,  he  was 
about  to  compose  himself  to  sleep  again,  for  the  young  man  was  tired  as 
well  as  myself. 

"  El  torremoto  !  el  torremoto ! "  I  heard  half  a  dozen  voices  yell  in  the 
court-yard,  and  then  far  off  in  the  distance  the  same  cry  was  repeated,  and 
the  church  bells  clanged  louder  than  ever,  as  though  to  awaken  the  faithful, 
and  bid  them  come  to  the  ark  of  safety  if  they  desired  to  live  until 
morning. 


Lewey  and  I.  293 


"  Lewey,"  I  said,  as  soon  as  I  could  collect  my  scattered  senses,  "  there  's 
a  devil  of  an  earthquake  raging." 

"  Shoot  it,"  was  the  drowsy  reply,  and  then  some  one  pounded  on  the 
swaying  door  of  the  house,  and  yelled  loudly,  — 
"  El  torremoto  !  el  torremoto  !  " 

"  Save  me,"  cried  Senor  Costello,  and  made  a  bound  from  the  room  where 
he  slept,  forgetting  for  the  time  being  that  he  was  a  married  man  and  a  fa- 
ther. "  The  earthquake  will  be  the  death  of  us.  The  saints  have  me  in 
their  keeping.  I  am  going  to  the  church  to  pray,"  and  out  of  the  trembling, 
shaking  house  he  went  at  a  bound,  regardless  of  his  costume,  which  was 
light  and  airy  for  that  time  of  the  year,  and  not  quite  suited  for  church  ser- 
vices, especially  if  ladies  were  present. 

"Veil,"  muttered  Lewey,  as  he  sat  up  on  the  floor,  and  pulled  on  his 
trousers,  "if  I  has  to  die  here  I  '11  cover  up  my  booful  legs,"  an  act  I  was 
not  slow  to  imitate. 

For  a  moment  there  was  a  cessation  of  the  rocking  and  trembling  of  the 
house  and  the  earth,  and  the  cries  ceased  in  the  streets.  The  first  shock 
had  lasted  a  minute,  I  judged,  but  I  could  not  be  sure,  for  time  passes  slow- 
ly when  you  are  expecting  a  building  to  fall  on  yoti  every  second.  If  it  had 
not  been  of  adobe,  and  the  walls  very  thick  and  elastic,  we  should  have 
been  buried  the  first  few  seconds  of  the  shock.  As  it  was  the  tiles  fell  from 
the  roof,  and  crashed  to  the  ground,  and  the  dogs  uttered  loud  howls,  and 
seemed  frantic  with  terror.  But  Jack  showed  more  courage,  although  the 
poor  brute  trembled,  and  uttered  a  low  whine,  as  though  he  realized  the 
danger,  and  feared  that  more  trouble  was  to  come. 

Again  the  earth  moved,  and  the  building  swayed.  I  had  just  buckled  my 
pistols  and  knife  around  my  waist,  and,  as  I  did  so,  staggered  like  a  drunk- 
en man,  and  even  felt  sick  at  my  stomach,  and  a  strong  inclination  to  vom- 
it, so  greatly  was  I  affected,  and  Lewey,  who  was  similarly  afflicted,  said,— 
"  Dis  is  vusser  dan  a  glass  of  old  Cook's  aguardiente,  and  a  bottle  of  na- 
tive vine  on  top  of  it." 

"  Save  me;  O  amigo,  and  mi  muchacho,"  I  heard  Senora  Costello  moan, 
and  then  suddenly  recollected  that  her  husband  had  run  for  his  life  at  the 
first  shock. 

"  Look  to  the  child,  Lewey,"  I  cried,  and  ran  as  fast  as  possible  to  the 
room  where  the  lady  had  been  sleeping. 

She  was  still  in  bed,  not  daring  to  rise,  and  in  dishabille,  but  women  do 
not  stand  on  ceremony  when  an  earthquake  is  raging,  and  the  roof  is  likely 
to  fall  at  any  moment.  A  lamp  was  burning  in  her  apartment,  and  from  its 


294  Lewey  and  I. 


feeble  flame  I  could  see  the  look  of  terror  on  the  handsome  face  of  the 
young  wife,  while  the  boy  was  sleeping  by  the  side  of  her  bed,  and  had  not 
even  awakened  during  all  of  the  tumult. 

"  Where  is  my  husband  ? "  demanded  the  lady,  as  soon  as  she  could 
s  )eak,  for  terror  had  for  a  moment  made  her  dumb. 

"  He  has  gone  for  help,"  I  answered,  wishing  to  excuse  his  absence  as 
well  as  I  could,  for  I  did  not  want  to  make  the  man  contemptible  in  such 
bright  eyes  as  the  lady  possessed. 

"  It  is  a  lie,"  she  retorted.  "  He  has  fled  to  save  his  own  worthless  life, 
and  left  me  and  the  child  to  die." 

"  No,  no,  not  to  die,"  I  answered.  "  I  will  take  you  in  my  arms,  and 
carry  you  to  a  place  of  safety,"  ignoring  the  word  lie  for  the  time  being. 

Even  as  I  spoke  the  building  rocked  wildly,  the  church  bells  resumed 
their  clamor,  the  people  in  the  streets  howled  in  terror,  called  on  the  saints 
and  Virgin  to  save  them,  and  vowed  they  would  lead  better  lives  in  the  fu- 
ture if  the  request  was  complied  with.  Of  course  this  was  forgotten  in  less 
than  twenty-four  hours  after  all  danger  was  passed,  but  the  scare  showed 
that  the  Mexicans  were  a  deeply  religious  people  in  periods  of  earthquakes 
and  other  calamities,  and  could  do  more  promising  in  a  given  time  than  any 
men  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  except  the  Spaniards. 

"  If  stand  here  you  do  all  de  night,  and  talk  and  talk,  de  shanty  vill  our 
heads  fall  on.  Grab  de  voman  and  get  out  of  dis,  and  I  vill  take  de  boy. 
But  you  allers  did  go  for  de  best  dings,  and  leave  me  de  vusser.  S'pose  I 
take  de  vife,  and  you  de  young  von,  and  see  how  dat  do  ?  " 

Lewey  could  do  some  hard  grumbling  when,  occasionally,  I  crossed  his 
path,  but  I  knew  his  disposition  too  well  to  pay  marked  attention  to  it.  I 
covered  the  petite  form  of  the  wife  with  several  blankets,  raised  her  in  my 
arms,  and,  just  as  I  thought  we  should  be  buried  in  the  ruins  of  the  house, 
passed  out  of  the  door,  Lewey  near  me  bearing  the  still  sleeping  child,  and 
Jack  following  at  our  heels,  subdued,  and  not  disposed  to  fight  the  meanest 
cur  that  was  near  the  building  yelping  with  terror. 

For  a  moment  I  stopped  near  the  corral  where  our  horses  were  snorting 
with  fear,  disposed  to  leap  the  walls,  and  break  away  for  the  high  lands. 
But  they  recognized  our  voices,  and  came  toward  us,  trembling  in  every 
limb,  and  reeking  with  perspiration.  We  petted  and  soothed  them,  and,  as 
the  earth  continued  to  show  signs  of  mutinous  conduct,  we  did  not  believe 
that  we  could  find  a  safer  place  for  the  depositing  of  our  burdens  than  the 
open  space  at  the  rear  of  the  house,  in  the  corral  where  the  horses  were 
confined. 


Lewey  and  /.  295 


The  streets  were  full  of  people,  the  soldiers  praying  at  one  moment  and 
plundering  the  next,  or  as  soon  as  there  was  a  cessation  of  shocks.  We 
saw  a  crowd  of  our  cavalry  company  rush  toward  Cook's  pulperia,  and  we 
calculated  that  his  stock  of  aguardiente  would  suffer  to  some  extent,  with 
no  money  paid  in  by  the  customers. 

High  over  our  heads  the  turkey  buzzards  flew,  and  croaked  like  ill-omened 
spirits,  and  once  in  a  while  the  fierce  cry  of  eagles,  as  if  protesting  against 
being  disturbed  in  the  night.  Cattle  were  bellowing  and  charging  through 
the  town,  seeking  the  companionship  of  man  for  protection,  and  above  the 
clamoring,  discordant  bells  could  be  heard  the  mournful  booming  of  the 
surf  as  it  dashed  on  the  shore  with  unusual  spitefulness,  covering  the  sandy 
beach  with  feathery  white  foam,  and,  strangest  of  all,  a  huge  black  bear 
came  near  us,  growling  and  grumbling,  yet  not  daring  to  attack  any  one 
that  crossed  its  path,  man  or  dog.  It  had  come  down  from  the  mountains 
in  the  hope  of  finding  less  of  a  tumult  than  fallen  trees  and  rocks  torn  from 
the  sides  of  the  hills  where  it  made  its  home.  We  could  have  killed  the 
wild  beast  from  where  we  stood,  but  had  no  desire  to  make  an  attack  on 
such  a  night,  when  death  threatened  us  on  all  sides. 

As  soon  as  our  horses  were  quieted  I  deposited  my  fair  burden  in  a  cor- 
ner o!  the  corral,  and  laid  her  sleeping  boy  by  her  side.  We  covered  both 
with  blankets  to  protect  them  from  the  cool,  damp  air,  and  then  Senora 
Costello  put  one  of  her  well-formed  arms  around  my  neck,  drew  my  head 
toward  her  face,  and  kissed  me. 

"  You  will  not  leave  me  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  No,  I  shall  remain  by  your  side  until  all  danger  is  passed.  Do  not 
fear.  I  think  you  are  safe  here." 

"  If  you  had  been  my  husband  would  you  have  left  me  on  such  a  night 
as  this  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  No,  I  would  have  remained,  and  lived  or  died  with  you,"  was  my  an- 
swer, and  I  meant  every  word  I  uttered. 

She  sighed,  and  then  encircled  her  boy  in  her  arms,  and  closed  hei  large, 
black,  glc  rious  eyes.  I  hoped  she  would  ask  for  another  kiss,  but  there 
was  no  such  luck.  Then  Lewey  returned  to  the  house  and  secured  our  ri- 
fles, for  we  did  not  know  but  the  demoralized  soldiers  might  visit  the  place, 
and  offer  violence  to  the  lady.  The  peons  had  fled  at  the  first  shock,  and 
did  not  return  home  until  long  after  daylight,  and  some  of  them  looked  and 
acted  as  though  they  had  tasted  Cook's  aguardiente,  or  some  other  strong 
drink. 

The  rumblings  of  the  earthquake  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  and  at  last  en- 


296  Lewey  and  I. 


tirely  ceased.  We  could  hear  the  priest  in  the  church  offering  up  prayers 
for  the  safety  of  his  flock,  and  then  the  sudden  blasts  of  trumpets  showed 
that  the  officers  of  the  soldiers  had  recovered  their  senses,  and  were  calling 
in  their  men  from  pillage. 

In  the  course  of  an  hour  Senor  Costello  returned  to  look  after  his  wife 
and  child.  He  did  not  seem  to  think  that  he  had  been  derelict  in  his  duty, 
but  said  that  he  had  prayed  for  the  safety  of  his  dear  ones,  and  was  glad 
the  saints  had  listened  to  his  prayers,  which  was  very  kind  on  their  part, 
all  things  considered. 

Then  Captain  Fernando  made  his  sister  a  visit,  and,  when  he  had  heard 
all  the  particulars  of  the  night,  paid  Lewey  and  me  a  compliment,  and  gave 
his  brother-in-law  a  few  words  of  condemnation  which  he  did  not  fail  to 
understand. 

We  removed  to  the  house  as  soon  as  all  danger  was  passed,  and  once 
more  the  wife  returned  to  her  bed,  and  the  boy  to  his  crib,  the  little  fellow 
not  even  awakening  through  all  the  noise  and  tumult.  Squads  of  infantry 
were  in  the  streets,  with  fixed  bayonets  and  loaded  muskets,  looking  for 
those  who  did  not  respond  to  the  trumpet's  call,  and  with  orders  to  shoot 
all  who  had  not  ceased  pillaging  the  better  class  of  houses. 

As  it  was  not  yet  daylight  I  laid  down  on  my  blankets  by  the  side  of 
Lewey  in  the  hope  of  getting  a  little  sleep,  and  the  last  thing  I  heard  was 
the  complaint  of  my  friend,  as  he  said,  — 

"  I  is  tired  of  dis  sort  of  ding.  I  does  de  hard  vork  and  you  gets  all  de 
kisses.  By  gar,  I  no  stand  it  much  longer,"  but  in  the  morning  the  French 
lad  had  forgotten  his  growling,  and  was  as  happy  and  careless  as  ever. 

The  sun  came  up  warm  and  clear,  with  a  gentle  south  wind.  The  air 
was  no  longer  impregnated  with  the  smell  of  sulphur,  the  fumes  of  which 
came  from  the  rents  in  the  earth.  The  cattle  were  quietly  feeding,  and  had 
forgotten  the  perils  of  the  night.  The  bear  had  waddled  back  to  his  quar- 
ters in  the  mountains,  and  probably  was  dreaming  of  the  commotion  that 
had  sent  him  to  the  village  in  such  a  hurry.  Cook  was  sitting  on  an  empty 
barrel  damning  all  kinds  of  greasers,  high  and  low,  counting  up  his  losses, 
and  calculating  how  much  he  would  have  to  water  his  next  stock  of  rum  to 
make  the  account  good. 

The  soldiers  were  sleeping  off  the  fatigues  of  the  night,  and  not  until 
seven  o'clock  did  the  blasts  of  the  trumpets  awaken  them  to  activity  and  a 
short  drill  before  breakfast.  Householders  were  taking  an  account  of 
stock,  and  wondering  if  the  articles  stolen  from  their  premises  would  ever 
be  recovered,  while  the  alcalda  issued  a  proclamation  recommending  a  day 


Lewey  and  I.  297 


of  feasting  for  the  miraculous  escape  of  the  people  from  death,  and,  as  all 
danger  was  passed,  it  met  the  approval  of  the  church  and  the  citizens  at 
large.  A  bull-fight  was  proposed,  but  as  no  one  dared  to  scour  the  country 
in  search  of  a  fierce  toro,  on  account  of  Fremont  and  his  men  being  near, 
the  plan  was  given  up,  and  a  magnificent  cock-fight  substituted  late  in  the 
afternoon,  and  those  who  lost  their  money  said  that  they  preferred  an  earth- 
quake to  such  wicked  sports. 

About  eleven  o'clock  Captain  Fernando,  in  full  uniform,  came  to  see  us, 
and  stated  that  General  Castro  would  receive  and  hear  us  immediately  in 
regard  to  our  enlistment.  When  we  were  ready  to  go  to  the  government 
house  Senora  Costello  threw  a  dark  mantilla  over  her  pretty  head,  and 
stated  her  intention  of  accompanying  us  to  the  presence  of  the  general. 
Her  brother  remonstrated,  but  the  lady  was  firm. 

"  The  young  gentlemen,"  she  said,  "  aided  me  last  night  when  I  was  de- 
serted by  my  husband.  I  was  in  danger,  and  they  stayed  by  my  side.  I 
am  grateful,  and  if  I  can  do  them  any  good  by  my  presence  they  .shall  see 
that  kindness  is  not  thrown  away  on  me.  I  can  go  and  tell  uncle  all  the 
particulars,  and  he  must  have  a  hard  heart  to  refuse  my  prayers." 

Captain  Fernando  made  no  further  opposition.  We  walked  across  the 
plaza  to  the  lesidence  of  the  general,  the  sentry  presented  arms  as  his  su- 
perior passed  him,  and  crossing  a  hall  entered  a  room  where  Castro  was 
seated,  smoking  cigarettes,  and  dictating  despatches  to  a  secretary. 

"  General,"  said  Captain  Fernando,  "  these  are  the  two  young  men  I 
spoke  to  you  about.  They  saved  the  lives  of  your  wife  and  my  sister  while 
escorting  them  from  San  Luis  Obispo  to  this  place.  Last  night  they  de- 
voted themselves  to  Senora  Costello  while  the  earthquake  was  raging  and 
her  husband  visiting  the  church  to  pray,  instead  of  helping  first  and  pray- 
ing afterward." 

*  Prayer  is  good  for  all  of  us,"  said  a  mild,  gentle  voice,  and  a  priest  en- 
tered the  room.  "  It  is  seemly  at  all  times,  but  still  I  think  it  is  better  to 
return  thanks  after  your  wife  and  child  are  in  a  safe  place  than  trust  them 
entirely  to  the  saints,  for  the  latter  can't  look  after  all  during  an  earthquake. 
I  will  bless  the  young  men  for  saving  so  good  a  daughter  as  Senora 
Costello." 

He  raised  his  hands,  and  we  bowed  our  heads,  and  when  I  again  looked 
up  saw  that  the  padre  was  the  one  I  had  met  at  Santa  Cruz  so  many  times, 
and  who  had  let  me  feast  on  the  strawberry  beds  of  the  old  Mission,  when 
a  sailor  boy  on  the  Admittance.  He  recognized  me  at  once,  and  a  smile 
passed  over  his  calm  face  as  he  said,  — 


298  Lewey  and  I. 


"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  once  more,  my  son.  I  did  not  expect  to  meet  you 
here.  I  supposed  you  were  home  long  since." 

"  Do  you  know  the  young  man,  holy  father  ?  "  asked  Castro. 

"  Oh,  yes,  and  a  good  boy  he  is.  I  will  answer  for  him,"  and  the  padre 
patted  me  on  the  cheek,  in  his  old  familiar  manner. 

"  Can't  you  vouch  for  me  also,  holy  father  ?  "  asked  Lewey.  "  I  am  a 
Catholic,  and  my  friend  here  is  only  a  Protestant.  According  to  our  creed 
I  should  be  much  better  than  he." 

"  My  lad,"  smiled  the  good  priest,  "  religion  does  not  stamp  a  man  so 
that  he  can  pass  current  as  a  Christian.  But  I  will  take  the  risk,  and  say 
that  I  think  you  are  no  worse  than  hundreds  of  others  whom  I  meet  in  my 
daily  life.  The  Senora  Castro  has  given  me  excellent  accounts  of  both  of 
you,  and  now  my  daughter  here  is  fully  as  enthusiastic  in  your  praise." 

"But  that  is  only  faint  commendation  for  me,  holy  father,"  remarked 
Lewey,  with  his  usual  impudence. 

"  Let  it  suffice  until  we  can  learn  more  of  your  worth  which  you  seem  to 
think  is  not  suspected.  Remember,  I  have  not  met  you  as  many  times  as  I 
have  your  friend,  therefore  must  be  a  little  cautious  in  my  remarks,"  and 
just  then  the  general's  wife  entered  the  room,  and  the  priest  gave  Lewey  a 
smile  that  showed  he  could  appreciate  a  joke  as  well  as  the  French  lad. 

I  placed  a  chair  for  the  lady  near  her  husband,  and  then  drew  back  and 
resumed  my  position  by  the  side  of  Lewey,  for  we  were  not  requested  to  sit 
down  in  the  presence  of  so  much  dignity,  not  being  on  an  equality  with 
those  present. 

"  We  were  speaking  of  these  young  men,"  the  padre  said,  as  soon  as 
Senora  Castro  had  taken  a  seat,  and  given  us  a  smile  of  welcome.  "  After 
all  that  I  have  heard  I  do  not  see  how  the  general  can  refuse  to  grant  them 
a  discharge.  Had  they  been  Mexican  soldiers  they  could  not  have  done 
more  to  protect  the  ladies." 

"They  were  worth  a  dozen  Mexicans  when  the  ladrones  attacked  us,"  re- 
marked the  pretty  little  wife,  and  her  eyes  flashed  as  she  spoke ;  but  the 
general  did  not  like  the  speech,  as  he  put  great  faith  in  his  country's 
soldiery. 

"  The  question  is  this,"  the  general's  wife  cried,  in  a  tone  that  proved 
she  could  make  her  presence  felt  when  desired,  and  I  noticed  that  all 
were  hushed  while  she  was  speaking, '"are  the  young  men  to  be  discharged 
from  the  army  or  not  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  my  dear,"  the  general  cried,  in  a  tone  that  showed  he  wanted 
to  conciliate  her. 


Lewey  and  I.  399 


"  Will  you  please  to  give  me  a  chance  to  speak  without  being  inter- 
rupted ?  "  the  wife  asked  impatiently. 

"  Certainly,  dear.  Go  on.  We  are  listening  to  you  with  much  eagerness 
I  am  sure.  I  told  you  last  night  that  I  would  do  just  as  you  wished  in  re- 
gard to  these  men,"  and  the  general  rubbed  his  hands,  and  looked  at  the 
priest  as  if  asking  his  protection. 

"  General,"  Mrs.  Castro  remarked,  with  a  withering  smile,  "  if  you  could 
fight  as  hard  as  you  talk  Fremont  and  his  band  of  ladrones  would  all  be 
dead  long  before  this." 

"  Yes,  my  dear,"  the  warrior  muttered,  and  then  yielded  the  floor  to  the 
lady.  It  was  evident  she  meant  to  have  her  own  way  and  the  last  word  at 
the  same  time. 

"  The  young  men  have  been  tricked  and  deceived,"  Senora  Castro  said. 
"  They  were  persuaded  to  matriculador,  and  did  not  understand  the  mean- 
ing of  the  word.  They  wanted  to  get  married,  and  they  did  n't  get 
married." 

Here  the  general  sighed.  He  did  not  seem  to  think  that  was  a  great  ca- 
lamity, as  near  as  I  could  judge  by  his  face.  In  fact,  I  rather  thought  he 
wanted  to  congratulate  us  on  our  lucky  escape. 

"  The  reason  the  young  men  were  not  married  was  because  one  of  your 
agents  stepped  in  and  spoiled  the  matter,  and  then  threatened  to  hang  the 
senors  if  they  did  not  enlist.  Is  that  the  way  to  build  up  the  State,  and  in- 
crease the  population  ? "  Senora  Castro  asked  with  a  frown,  and  her  lord 
scratched  his  head,  and  said  that  he  was  satisfied  such  a  plan  would  result 
in  a  dead  failure  to  build  up  any  State. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  admit  so  much,"  the  lady  exclaimed.  "  Now  I 
have  taken  the  liberty  to  summon  to  your  presence  the  State  agents,  Anto- 
nio and  Carlos  Sanchos.  The  youngest  brother,  Edwardo,  is  wounded. 
He  was  shot  in  the  mountains  of  Sierra  Monica,  and  may  die,  as  he  de- 
serves, for  he  attempted  to  murder  the  young  men  present,  as  they  were 
crossing  from  Los  Angeles  to  Santa  Barbara.  The  scoundrel  was  injured, 
and  is  still  in  a  bad  way.  I  have  learned  this  morning,  through  a  compan- 
ion of  your  agents,  that  Antonio  had  some  grudge  against  the  young  men, 
and  took  this  means  to  obtain  revenge.  You  must  investigate,  and  then  re- 
voke the  commissions  of  the  ladrones.  You  second  me  in  this,  do  you  not, 
holy  father  ? " 

The  padre  bowed  as  he  replied  in  his  gentle  way,  with  a  smile  at  the 
domestic  scene. 

"  If  the  men  are  unworthy  the  general  can't  do  better  than  to  dismiss 


Lewey  and  I. 


them  from  his  service.  California  is  too  noble  a  State  to  harbor  villains  for 
officials." 

"  Let  me  say  one  word,"  Captain  Fernando  said,  as  soon  as  the  padre 
had  concluded.  "  If  I  had  known  all  I  would  never  have  enlisted  the 
young  men  under  the  circumstances.  I  was  told  that  they  were  matricula- 
dors  and  sospechosos,  and  that  it. would  be  a  good  thing  to  keep  them  un- 
der our  eyes.  The  first  day  from  Ranche  Refugio  they  saved  my  life  from 
the  attack  of  a  drunken  soldier.  I  hanged  the  fellow  on  the  limb  of  a 
tree." 

General  Castro  nodded  as  though  he  rather  approved  of  such  summary 
treatment.  One  drunken  Mexican  was  of  little  account  in  his  estimation. 

"  At  San  Luis  Obispo  these  same  young  men  saved  your  wife  and  my 
sister  from  insult,  and  would  not  inform  on  the  parties  who  committed  the 
assault,  for  fear  I  would  hang  the  guilty  scoundrels." 

"  Do  give  me  a  chance  to  utter  a  thought,"  the  Senora  Castro  said,  and 
Lewey  winked  at  me  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Dis  is  berry  funny."  "  I  have 
said  but  a  word  since  I  entered  the  room." 

The  general  sighed,  and  seemed  to  wish  that  he  was  far  away,  on  the  trail 
of  Fremont  and  his  men,  or  traveling  through  the  country. 

"  When  I  tell  you,  general,  that  these  young  men  have  killed  Apache 
warriors  you  will  be  surprised,"  Mrs.  Castro  cried,  and  her  husband,  sup- 
posing that  he  must  show  astonishment,  ejaculated.  — 

"  The  saints  preserve  us  !  You  don't  mean  it  r  "  and  then  lighted  a 
cigarette. 

**  Senor  Larkin,"  a  servant  cried,  and  threw  open  the  door,  and  the 
American  consul  entered  the  room,  and  seemed  a  little  astonished  at  the 
number  of  people  present. 

"  I  have  called,  your  excellency,"  Mr.  Larkin  cried,  "  to  demand  the  dis- 
charge of  these  two  young  men." 

"The  Senors  Antonia  and  Carlos  Sanchos,"  the  servant  roared,  and  the 
two  agents  of  the  State  entered  the  apartment,  and  were  more  surprised 
than  Mr.  Larkin  on  seeing  the  company* 

"  Look  here,"  the  general  cried,  "  you  two  scoundrels  have  persecuted 
these  young  men.  My  wife  would  be  angry  if  she  was  n't  an  angel,"  (he  was 
not  emphatic  when  he  said  this)  "  the  holy  father  is  indignant,  and  the 
American  consul  is  about  to  threaten  us  with  the  vengeance  of  the  United 
States,  but  that  we  do  not  fear.  Mexico  can  take  care  of  herself,  and 
against  a  hundred  foes,  but  Mr.  Larkin  is  a  good  man,  and  we  like  to  oblige 
him.  Captain  Fernando  and  his  sister  are  not  feeling  as  though  the  sail- 


Lewey  and  I.  3QI 


ors  were*  well  treated,  and   I  think  the  former  struck  you  last  evening  in 
consequence.     Speak  up,  and  give  me  an  explanation  of  your  doings." 

"  The  blow  of  the  captain  is  still  seen  on  my  face/'  Antonio  said,  his 
voice  showing  some  of  his  hatred  for  Lewey  and  myself,  and  the  young 
captain.  "  I  have  labored  for  the  welfare  of  California,  and  thought  that  I 
had  done  good  service.  I  was  told  to  arrest  all  sospechosos,  and  impress 
matricuiadors  for  the  army.  My  orders  state  this  in  positive  terms.  I  met 
the  young  men  at  San  Diego.  I  suspected  them  of  giving  information  to 
the  enemy.  In  fact,  they  were  left  behind  for  that  purpose," 

"  That  is  a  lie,"  responded  Mr.  Larkin.  "The  boys  were  discharged  ill 
with  the  smallpox.  I  have  the  certificates  of  the  captain  of  the  ship,  and 
also  of  the  agent,  to  that  effect.  Here  they  are." 

Don  Antonio  looked  a  little  abashed  at  this  information,  for  he  had  not 
expected  such  testimony  from  the  American  consul,  and  before  any  one 
could  speak  I  stepped  forward. 

"  Senora  Castro,"  I  said,  speaking  to  the  wife,  for  I  knew  that  if  I  en- 
listed her  aid  I  should  have  that  of  her  husband,  "let  me  explain  the  cause 
of  this  man's  enmity.  One  day  in  San  Francisco  he  insulted  the  daughter 
of  General  Vallejo,  and  my  friend  and  I  punished  him  for  his  cowardly  act. 
He  drew  a  knife  to  cut  us,  and  in  the  struggle  I  jabbed  the  back  of  his 
hand  with  a  boat-hook.  You  can  see  the  scar  if  the  fellow  will  hold  up  his 
arm." 

Antonio  did  not  seem  disposed  to  do  this,  so  I  continued,  — 
"  When  the  man  found  that  we  were  left  on  shore,  through  our  unfortu- 
nate sickness  "  (here  Lewey  winked  with  both  eyes),  "he  determined  to  per- 
secute us,  and  has  continued  to  do  so  until  we  were  fortunate  enough  to  be 
placed  as  escort  to  two  ladies,  and  they  were  so  kind  to  us  that  it  was  a 
pleasure  to  defend  them  from  the  attacks  of  ladrones,  or  any  one  else. 
They  owe  us  nothing.  We  owe  them  everything  for  their  kindness." 

"I  could  n't  do  better  mineself,"  Lewey  said  in  English,  in  a  half  whis- 
per, so  low  that  even  Mr.  Larkin  could  not  catch  the  words,  as  he  was  a  lit- 
tle deaf.  "  By  gar,  but  you  did  rub  it  on  ;  and  dat  voman  vill  s waller  ebery 
vord  of  it,  and  believe  all  dat  you  say.  De  Yanks  beat  de  French  at  de 
blarney." 

"Did  you  ever  hear  a  more  manly  little  marinero  muchacho?"  asked 
Senora  Castro  of  her  husband,  and  the  general  said  that  he  thought  I  stood 
away  up  to  the  head,  as  far  as  he  could  see,  and  Senora  Costello  murmured 
some  words  that  sounded  very  sweet,  and  I  thought  she  compared  me  to 
an  angel. 


3°2  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Now,"  said  the  wife  of  the  governor,  "  do  an  act  of  justice.  You  have 
heard  both  sides.  Issue  the  order  for  the  young  men's  discharge  and  with- 
draw their  matriculadors,  so  that  they  will  no  longer  owe  al'egiance  to 
Mexico  and  California." 

"  It  shall  be  done.  Make  out  the  papers  immediately,"  the  general  said 
to  his  secretary.  "  Revoke  the  matriculadors,  and  give  the  young  men 
documents  allowing  them  to  remain  and  travel  in  the  State,  where  they 
please  and  when  they  please.  All  that  I  require  of  them  is  that  they  will 
swear  not  to  take  up  arms  against  us  or  Mexico." 

"  We  will  do  it,"  the  impulsive  Lewey  exclaimed.  "  We  love  the  people 
too  well  to  raise  our  arms  against  them,"  and  that  seemed  to  satisfy  all  par- 
ties except  the  captain. 

"  I  ask,  general,  that  you  will  now  revoke  the  commissions  of  these  two 
enganchadors,"  pointing  to  Antonio  and  Carlos.  "  They  are  not  such  men 
as  you  need  for  the  work.  Dishonorably  discharge  them,  and  without 
delay." 

"  One  moment,"  cried  Antonio.     "  Let  me  say  a  word." 

"  How  dare  you  speak  without  permission  ? "  asked  the  general's 
wife. 

"  Yes,  how  dare  you  open  )7our  mouth  until  I  have  given  consent  ?  " 
thundered  the  general. 

"  He  's  dished,"  muttered  Lewey  in  English.  "  Nothin'  can  save  him 
now.  Ve  has  de  vind  aft  all  de  time." 

"Give  up  your  commissions  this  moment,"  shouted  the  general,  "and 
leave  the  town  without  delay,  or  I  '11  have  you  shot  before  sundown." 

"  My  own  dear  husband,"  cried  Senora  Castro,  and  threw  her  arms 
around  the  general's  neck,  and  kissed  him  on  the  nose,  the  most  convenient 
place. 

"  My  own  kind  uncle,"  Senora  Costello  exclaimed,  and  around  his  neck 
went  her  arms. 

Antonio  and  Carlos  drew  their  commissions  from  their  breasts,  and  laid 
them  on  the  table,  by  the  side  of  the  secretary,  and  then  bowing,  left  the 
room,  glad  to  escape  without  further  injury. 

"  How  can  we  thank  your  excellency  for  this   kindness  ?  "  I  said. 

The  general,  as  soon  as  he  could  escape  from  the  embraces  of  the  women, 
seemed  to  think  the  matter  over,  and  finally  said,  — 

"  You  speak  good  English,  do  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes,  general.     It  is  my  native  tongue." 

"  Then  repay  my  kindness  by  doing  me  a  favor.     I  want  to  send  a  mes- 


Lewey  and  I.  303 


senger  to  Captain  Fremont's  camp.  Will  you  take  a  letter  to  him  from 
me  ?  " 

Mr.  Larkin  motioned  with  his  lips  to  say  "yes,"  for  some  reason  or 
other,  and  I  stated  that  I  would  go  provided  I  could  be  accompanied  by 
Lewey. 

"  I  have  no  objections,"  the  general  remarked.  "  In  fact,  I  will  give  you 
an  escort  of  ten  mounted  men  if  you  desire  it." 

"  I  do  not  require  it,"  was  my  answer.  "  I  think  that  if  I  am  to  hunt 
for  Captain  Fremont  in  the  mountains  it  would  be  much  better  to  go  unat- 
tended. Of  course  you  do  not  wish  me  to  play  the  part  of  spy  on  his 
movements  ?  That  I  will  not  consent  to  do." 

"  No,"  was  the  reply,  in  a  hesitating  tone.  "  I  should  like  to  know  the 
strength  of  his  force  and  what  he  means  to  do,  but  you  need  not  play  the 
part  of  a  spy.  None  of  my  scouts  seem  able  to  get  information,  and  all 
have  returned  to  the  town  baffled,  afraid  of  this  American  and  his 
trappers." 

"  On  those  conditions  I  will  undertake  the  task,"  I  said.  "  When  do 
you  require  us  to  start  ?  " 

"Tomorrow  morning.  By  that  time  I  will  have  your  instructions  all 
ready.  You  must  return  as  soon  as  possible,"  and  the  general  bowed  to 
show  that  the  interview  was  terminated. 

As  I  left  the  governor's  residence  Mr.  Larkin  walked  along  the  plaza  by 
my  side. 

"  Tonight,"  the  consul  said,  "  I  will  send  you  a  sealed  package  by  a 
trusty  messenger.  Do  not  let  any  one  see  it,  or  allow  the  fact  to  be  known. 
The  paper  you  must  place  in  Captain  Fremont's  own  hand,  and  bring  to 
me  his  reply  in  an  equally  careful  manner.  I  have  been  endeavoring  to 
communicate  with  him  for  a  week  or  more,  but  failed  time  and  time  again 
through  the  fear  of  my  couriers.  Your  appointment  as  messenger  by  Gen- 
eral Castro  is  a  wonderful  piece  of  good  luck  for  the  United  States  govern- 
ment and  myself.  Be  careful  and  discreet,  and  when  you  return  report  not 
more  than  half  what  you  see.  Be  faithful  and  you  shall  reap  a  rich  reward. 
Ask  your  French  friend  to  keep  a  close  mouth.  You  can  trust  him,  I 
suppose  ?  " 

"  With  my  life,"  was  the  fervent  answer. 

"  That  is  well.  Still,  do  not  tell  him  more  of  my  business  than  you  can 
help.  We  are  surrounded  by  spies,  and  even  now  men  are  watching  us. 
We  must  be  seen  together  no  longer.  Do  not  come  near  me  again,  or 
speak  to  ma  if  we  should  meet.  I  will  see  that  a  paper  is  slipped  into  your 


304  Lewey  and  I. 


hand  this  evening,  and  that  the  letter  you  bring  me  from  Captain  Fremont 
is  asked  for  outside  the  limits  of  the  town.  It  may  be  an  Indian  woman 
who  will  give  you  my  despatch  and  take  the  one  you  bring.  If  such  is  the  case 
she  will  meet  you  on  the  trail,  near  the  Mission  Carmel,  hold  out  her  hand, 
and  utter  but  one  word,  and  that  one  will  be  'papel.'  It  will  be  of  no  use 
to  question  her,  for  she  will  not  respond.  As  soon  as  you  hand  her  the  pa- 
per she  will  plunge  into  the  chapparel  and  disappear,  and  you  will  see  her 
no  more.  If  any  one  should  be  near  pretend  that  she  asked  for  charity, 
but  drop  the  letter  in  the  bushes.  She  will  see  your  action,  and  secure  the 
document.  Do  you  understand  all  this  quite  plainly  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  good-by,  and  success  to  your  mission,"  and  the  American  consul 
walked  off,  and  left  me  to  the  pleasing  reflection  that  I  was  involved  in  a 
delicate  piece  of  business,  and  might  meet  with  trouble  before  I  ended,  for 
it  looked  to  me  as  though  I  had  got  to  serve  two  masters,  and  I  might  fail 
in  pleasing  them  both. 

Lewey,  when  I  joined  him,  was  delighted  with  the  thought  of  undertak- 
ing the  excursion.  There  was  just  enough  danger  in  it  to  suit  him.  He 
wanted  to  be  stirring,  and  meeting  with  adventures,  and  dreaded  a  life  that 
was  not  full  of  excitement. 

I  did  not  think  it  advisable  to  go  to  the  mountains  in  the  costume  of  a 
Mexican  ranchero,  for  I  feared  some  of  the  trappers  might  make  a  mistake 
and  pick  me  off  by  accident,  or  on  purpose,  so  once  more  paid  a  visit  to 
Cook  and  his  sacked  pulperia.  The  old  man  was  disconsolate  over  the 
events  of  the  past  night,  and  had  drunk  more  of  his  remaining  stock  of 
aguardiente  than  was  good  for  his  health,  or  his  understanding.  We  told 
him  that  we  now  required  complete  outfits  of  sailor's  costumes,  and  he  had 
just  what  we  wanted, — hats,  trousers,  and  blue  flannel  shirts.  The  only 
change  required  being  the  removal  of  the  word  "  Ceynne  "  from  the  bands 
on  the  sinnet  sombreros,  the  men  who  had  pawned  them  for  rum  not  taking 
the  trouble  to  conceal  the  name  of  the  national  ship  from  which  they  had 
come. 

Our  new  additional  suits  did  not  cost  us  more  than  three  dollars,  and,  as 
we  paid  cash  for  the  articles,  Cook  was  so  much  moved  by  the  trade  that 
he  offered  to  treat  us  to  a  glass  of  liquor,  and  when  we  declined  the  tots 
said  that  he  would  drink  them  himself,  and  did  so.  Luckily,  they  were  well 
watered  so  not  much  harm  was  done. 

We  passed  the  day  in  looking  over  the  town,  and  in  calling  on  our  com- 
rades of  the  cavalry.  They  professed  great  joy  in  seeing  us,  and  learning 


Lewey  and  /.  3°5 


that  we  were  discharged  from  the  service.  Two  ordinary  greasers  had  been 
appointed  sergeants  in  our  place,  and  very  proud  they  were  of  their  new 
positions.  I  am  sorry  to  state  that  Lewey  and  I  never  received  a  cent  for 
the  time  we  were  in  the  Mexican  army,  and,  in  fact,  we  were  so  glad  to  be 
discharged  that  we  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  put  in  a  claim  for  pay,  but  if 
ever  the  Mexican  government  rewards  its  veterans  for  services  rendered  I 
shall  ask  for  a  grant  of  land,  as  I  did  as  much  duty  for  California  as  some 
of  our  soldiers  who  are  on  the  United-States  pension  list,  and  in  the  same 
war,  but  under  the  American  flag. 

We  remained  on  the  plaza  and  saw  our  company  drill  in  the  afternoon. 
The  horsemanship  was  magnificent,  but  the  evolutions  were  wonderful  to 
contemplate,  and  yet  in  less  than  six  months  that  same  body  of  men,  under 
Captain  Fernando,  lent  its  aid  in  giving  our  people  a  severe  thrashing, 
while  on  the  march  from  San  Pedro  to  Los  Angeles,  composed  as  the 
Americans  were  of  good  sailors  and  steady  marines,  five  hundred  of  them 
in  all,  and  not  as  many  Mexicans,  but  the  latter  had  a  field-piece,  and  that 
decided  the  day  against  us,  for  the  United-States  forces  were  in  such  a 
hurry  that  they  left  their  ships  without  artillery.  It  was  supposed  that  an 
advance  was  equivalent  to  a  victory,  but  it  was  not  so  in  this  case.  The  les- 
son was  a  dear  one  for  our  naval  officers  and  it  was  not  forgotten  while  on 
the  coast,  as  when  Commodore  Stockton  started  his  expedition  from  San 
Diego  for  the  Pueblo  Los  Angeles,  with  five  hundred  men  and  sixty  United- 
States  dragoons,  he  took  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  won  a  big  victory  at 
San  Gabriel,  entered  the  rity  of  orange-trees  and  grapes  in  triumph,  and 
held  it  during  the  remainder  of  the  war. 

In  our  rambles  during  the  day  we  did  not  encounter  Antonio  or  Carlos 
Sanchos,  and  were  told  that  they  had  left  town  for  San  Francisco.  We 
hoped  that  such  was  the  case,  but  afterward  learned  that  the  scoundrels 
had  gone  in  another  direction,  and  we  were  destined  to  again  meet  them  in 
an  unexpected  manner. 

We  went  to  the  beach,  and  sat  down  on  the^veranda  of  the  old  custom 
house,  and  looked  off  on  the  quiet  bay,  and  recalled  the  circumstances  of 
our  early  days,  and  thought  how  quickly  the  years  had  fled.  All  of  our 
hardships  on  board  the  vessel  were  forgotten,  and  our  duckings  in  the  surf 
were  things  to  be  smiled  at,  and  not  commented  on  in  an  unfavorable  man- 
ner. We  saw  some  of  the  crew  of  the  schooner  California,  the  first  lieuten- 
ant, or  mate,  Mr.  Willard,  of  Salem,  Ma'ss.,  and  his  tattooed  kanakas,  but 
the  war  did  not  seem  to  trouble  them  any,  and  they  ate  and  slept  as  much 
as  ever,  when  they  could  draw  rations  from  the  government.  They  did  not 


306  Lewey  and  I. 


think  that  any  of  our  national  ships  would  venture  to  attack  the  schooner, 
and  in  this  we  agreed  with  them,  for  who  would  venture  near  that  old 
Queen  Anne  musket,  backed  by  a  kanaka  ? 

We  wondered  where  the  Admittance  was,  and  our  shipmates,  and  thought 
how  surprised  they  would  be  to  see  us,  and  learn  about  the  adventures  we 
had  passed  through  since  we  separated, 

Donna  Costello  was  as  pleased  as  ourselves  at  our  release  from  the  Mex- 
ican service,  and  for  the  first  time  insisted  that  we  should  sit  and  dine  at 
her  own  table.  As  her  husband  ventured  to  offer  an  objection  she  asked 
him  why  he  disappeared  so  suddenly  the  night  before  when  the  earth- 
quake was  raging.  That  silenced  the  man,  and  he  made  no  more 
remonstrance. 

During  the  evening,  while  Lewey  and  I  sat  in  the  front  yard,  smoking 
and  talking  over  the  business  of  the  next  day,  an  Indian  woman  staggered 
toward  us,  and,  as  she  neared  me,  fell  almost  in  my  lap.  I  uttered  an  em* 
phatic  exclamation,  and  was  about  to  push  her  from  me,  when  I  felt  a  paper 
thrust  into  my  hand.  Recollecting  Mr.  Larkin's  instructions  I  put  the 
document  in  the  bosom  of  my  shirt,  and  the  woman  regained  her  feet,  and 
wandered  off,  staggering  and  muttering  drunken  curses  on  all  mankind,  and 
the  white  race  in  particular.  Lewey  did  not  notice  the  act,  and  I  said 
nothing  to  enlighten  him  on  the  subject. 

The  night  passed  off  without  disturbance  of  any  serious  kind.  The  sol- 
diers yelled  themselves  hoarse,  but  we  were  accustomed  to  the  noise  and 
paid  no  attention  to  it,  sleeping  until  sunrise.  Then  we  had  a  good  wash, 
and  donned  our  sailor  suits,  fed  our  horses  with  a  measure  of  barley,  ate 
our  breakfast,  and  waited  for  the  orders  and  letter  from  General  Castro. 
Captain  Fernando  brought  both  at  eight  o'clock,  and  in  a  few  minutes  we 
had  saddled  our  horses,  taken  leave  of  Donna  Costello,  who  looked  a  little 
sad  as  she  bade  us  good-by,  whistled  to  the  delighted  Jack,  and  dashed  out 
of  town  toward  the  Mission  Carmel. 

We  did  not  meet  even  a  ranchero  on  the  road,  or  trail,  and  as  we  as- 
cended the  mountains  made  as  much  noise  as  possible,  and  even  Lewey 
sang  a  French  song  in  a  shrill  tone,  as  if  desirous  of  attracting  some 
attention. 

When  on  the  summit  of  the  range,  and  near  the  place  where  we  had  met 
the  scouts  a  few  days  before,  one  long,  agonizing  note  from  Lewey  appeared 
to  have  the  desired  effect  of  awakening  life  in  that  vast  solitude,  for  two 
rough,  well-armed  men  stepped  from  a  thicket  of  bushes  in  front  of  us,  and 
looking  back  we  saw  others  in  our  rear,  with  rifles  all  ready  for  use. 


Lewey  and  /.  307 


"  Halt,"  was  the  order,  and  we  obeyed. 

"  Who  are  yer  ? "  was  the  next  question,  and  we  saw  that  two  of  the 
men  were  the  same  persons  we  had  encountered  once  before  on  the 
mountains. 

"  I  am  an  American,"  I  said,  "  as  I  told  you  day  before  yesterday. 

"  Well,  what  do  yer  want  here  ?  "  was  the  stern  question. 

"  To  see  Captain  Fremont.  We  have  despatches  for  him  from  General 
Castro." 

"  Why  did  n't  the  gineral  come  with  them  himself  ?  "  asked  the  leader  of 
the  scouts. 

"  He  is  particularly  engaged  in  counting  his  money  and  drilling  his  men," 
I  answered. 

"  How  much  money  has  he,  and  how  many  men  ? "  was  the  gruff 
question. 

"  That  we  do  not  know.  He  would  not  trust  us  with  his  plata,  and  we 
were  not  interested  in  the  greasers  under  his  command.  We  agreed  to 
carry  a  letter  to  Captain  Fremont,  and  expect  to  be  paid  for  it.  Show  us 
your  leader,  and  our  duty  is  ended."  • 

"  Yes,  and  yer  lives  too,  if  you  play  any  of  yer  monkey  shine.s  on  us. 
Give  me  the  letter,  and  I  will  see  that  the  captain  gits  it,"  and  the  scout 
held  out  his  hand. 

"  Gently,  my  friend,"  I  remarked.  "  I  must  see  the  captain  in  person.  I 
have  a  duty  to  perform  or  I  get  no  pay,  and  you  would  n't  take  the  bread 
out  of  the  mouths  of  two  hard-working  sailors,  would  you  ? " 

"  Blast  yer,  were  n't  yer  in  greasers'  costume  the  other  day  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  today  we  are  in  our  national  dress,  such  as  we  delighted  to 
wear  under  the  stars  and  stripes." 

The  men  consulted  together,  and  then  the  leader  said,  — 

"  Come  along  with  me.  I  '11  take  yer  to  the  camp,  and  if  yer  prove 
traitors  we  '11  put  some  bullets  in  yer  carcasses  so  quick  yer  won't  know 
what  hurted  yer." 

The  leader  of  the  party  and  another  man  motioned  for  us  to  follow  them. 
We  left  the  trail,  and  they  led  us  to  a  clearing  where  fire  had  raged  some- 
time. Near  the  place  were  half  a  dozen  horses  hitched  to  trees.  The  men 
mounted,  and  rode  through  the  chapparel  and  bushes  for  an  hour  or  two, 
and  when  we  were  near  Hawk's  Peak,  some  thirty  miles  from  Monterey,  a 
halt  was  called  for  rest  and  consultation,  and  we  imagined  that  we  were 
near  Fremont's  quarters,  and  should  soon  see  the  explorer  and  his 
command. 


CHAPTER  X. 

CAPTAIN  FREMONT'S  CAMP.  —  THE  MESSAGES  AND  DESPATCHES.  —  A 
NIGHT  SCENE  AROUND  A  FIRE.  —  THE  COYOTES'  CALL.  —  THE  LETTERS 
FOR  GENERAL  CASTRO  AND  MR.  LARKIN.  —  INSTRUCTIONS. — ON  THE 
TRAIL.  —  THE  INDIAN  WOMAN.  —  THE  CAVALRY  SQUAD.  —  THE  SEARCH 
FOR  LETTERS.  —  GENERAL  CASTRO  IS  SURPRISED.  —  LEWEY  TELLS 
SOME  STORIES.  —  STORMING  THE  CAMP.  — FISHING  IN  A  FOG.  —  THE 
AMERICAN  FRIGATE.  —  SPIES  ON  ALL  SIDES.  —  A  FRIENDLY  WARNING 
—  A  NIGHT  OF  TERROR.  —  A  GLAD  SIGHT. 

A  S  soon  as  our  guides  called  a  halt  on  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  a 
*^  place  that  some  people  call  San  Juan  and  others  Hawk's  Peak,  al- 
though I  think  the  latter  name  is  the  recognized  authority,  we  knew  that 
we  were  near  the  camp  of  the  invader. 

"  Strangers,"  said  the  trapper,  "yer  can't  go  no  further  on  this  trail  until 
yer  is  blindfolded.  Yer  may  be  all  right,  and  I  hope  yer  is,  but  we  is  used 
to  Injun  ways,  and  don't  trust  no  one  till  he  is  proved  honest.  We  '11  just 
slip  a  serape  over  yer  heads,  and  then  lead  the  hosses,  and  yer  won't 
know  much  of  our  place  arter  yer  leaves  it.  Now  hold  still,  and  keep 
quiet.  We  won't  be  rough  unless  yer  is." 

"  Go  ahead,"  we  said.  "  Only  don't  fool  with  the  dog  as  he  is  dangerous 
to  strangers.  Let  him  see  all  that  he  can,  and  we  '11  go  it  blind." 

"  Them  'ere  is  good  poker  words,  stranger,"  was  the  grim  rejoinder,  al- 
though we  were  not  aware  of  it  at  the  time.  "  Now  hold  still.  I  reckon 
yer  won't  see  much,  and  if  yer  comes  near  smotherin'  jist  sing  out  and 
we  '11  give  yer  a  little  air  to  save  yer  lives." 

As  the  blankets  were  put  over  our  heads  one  of  the  scouts  uttered  a  cry 
like  the  bark  of  a  coyote,  and  after  a  moment's  silence  the  sound  was  re- 


Lcwey  and  I.  309 


peated  far  off  in  the  distance,  but  in  what  direction  we  could  not  tell,  owing 
to  our  heads  being  muffled  in  such  a  disagreeable  manner. 

"  All  right,  come  along,"  the  scouts  said.     "  The  trail  is  clear." 

They  seized  our  horses'  bridles,  and  led  them  over  rocky  places,  through 
groves  of  trees,  up  hill  and  down,  for  half  an  hour  or  more.  Then  the  ani- 
mals were  halted,  we  heard  voices  expressing  surprise  at  our  appearance, 
the  blankets  were  pulled  from  pur  heads,  and  we  found  ourselves  sur- 
rounded by  forty  or  fifty  rough  and  tough  looking  trappers,  dressed  in  vari- 
ous kinds  of  hunting  costume,  and  armed  with  rifles,  revolvers,  and  knives. 
We  looked  at  the  men  as  earnestly  as  they  regarded  us,  and  then  one  person 
asked,  — 

"  Is  them  'ere  Castro's  scouts  ?  They  seem  fitted  more  for  salt  water 
than  land  service." 

"  Hold  yer  yop,"  our  guide  said.  "  Let  the  lads  get  their  wind  afore 
yer  talks  to  'em.  Where  is  the  cap'en  ?  The  young  fellers  has  some  pa- 
pers for  him.  I  'spect  Castro  has  sent  us  an  invitation  to  dinner,  and  I 
a'n't  got  no  biled  shirt  to  put  on  to  meet  the  Mexican  senoras." 

"You  is  handsome  enough  without,"  was  the  response,  and  then  his  com- 
panions laughed,  and  while  the  rough  jokes  were  cracked  fast  and  furious, 
Lewey  and  I  dismounted,  secured  our  horses,  and  waited  for  the  appear- 
ance of  the  commander  of  the  forces,  a  man  we  had  heard  of  but  never 
seen  all  the  time  we  were  on  the  coast. 

"Why  don't  yer  go  and  speak  to  the  cap'en  ?  "  our  guide  asked,  while 
we  were  looking  around  the  camp,  puzzled  at  all  we  saw,  and  bewildered  by 
the  remarks  that  met  us  on  every  hand,  some  of  them  none  too  polite. 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  I  demanded. 

"  Over  thar,  settin'  on  a  stump.     He  's  waitin'  for  yer." 

Now  we  had  expected  to  see  a  man  of  commanding  presence,  with  glitter- 
ing uniform,  and  sword  by  his  side,  plumes  in  his  hat,  and  a  general  air  of 
daintiness  and  neatness,  but  the  person  pointed  out  as  Captain  Fremont 
was  not  up  to  our  expectations,  as  far  as  show  was  concerned.  He  was 
slight  in  figure,  wore  a  hunting  shirt  of  dressed  deer-skin,  leggings  and 
moccasins,  and  around  his  temples  was  a  common  cotton  handkerchief, 
with  bright  colors,  forming  a  singular-looking  head  gear,  but  such  as  the 
poorer  class  of  Mexicans  sometimes  wore  beneath  their  broad  sombreros. 
The  ends  of  the  panuelo  hung  down  the  wearer's  back,  and  were  knotted  as 
if  containing  small  pieces  of  silver,  the  safest  place  to  carry  and  have  them 
convenient  for  use.  There  was  no  sword,  no  knife,  not  even  a  pistol  in 
the  captain's  belt.  He  was  the  last  person  in  the  camp  we  should  have  se- 


3io  Lewcy  and  I. 


lected  for  an  important  command,  as,  if  the  truth  must  be  told,  he  was 
dressed  a  little  worse  than  his  companions,  and  perhaps  a  trifle  dirtier. 
But  his  face  and  eyes  were  attractive,  and  showed  power  and  endurance, 
and  when  he  spoke  there  was  something  in  his  tones  that  denoted  will  and 
courage. 

We  were  so  astonished  at  the  appearance  of  the  man  that  we  could  only 
stare  at  him  for  a  few  minutes,  unable  to  speak.  Perhaps  Fremont  realized 
the  feelings  he  inspired,  and  let  us  gaze  without  interrupting  our  medita- 
tions, but,  after  he  supposed  we  had  looked  him  over  long  enough,  sudden- 
ly said,  — 

"  Well,  lads,  who  are  you  and  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

He  did  not  speak  in  an  impatient  tone,  or  as  though  he  was  angry,  but 
just  as  a  business  man  does  when  he  tells  one  of  his  clerks  to  fill  an  order 
and  waste  no  time  about  it  if  he  knows  what  is  good  for  himself. 

"  Is  you  de  celebrated  Captain  Fremont?  "  asked  Lewey,  who  was  anx- 
ious to  make  a  good  impression,  "  and  does  you  speak  de  French  ?  " 

"  I  am  Captain  Fremont,  but  never  mind  about  the  French  as  long  as  you 
speak  English,"  was  the  reply,  and  a  cold,  chilly  smile  accompanied  the 
words,  as  if  the  speaker  did  not  care  for  joking. 

"  Captain,"  I  said,  "  this  young  man  is  a  native  of  France,  and  I  am  an 
American.  We  were  formerly  sailors  in  the  same  ship,  but  were  discharged 
on  account  of  sickness.  We  thought  of  marrying,  and  settling  down  in  the 
country,  but  have  been  disappointed." 

At  this  stage  of  the  story  the  captain  grinned,  as  I  supposed  he  would. 
Our  pathetic  love  story  always  made  both  thoughtless  and  serious  laugh,  just 
as  though  two  boys  could  not  be  stricken  with  the  tender  passion,  and  de- 
sire to  wed. 

"  Come  to  the  point,"  the  captain  remarked,  as  soon  as  the  smile  disap- 
peared. "You  wish  to  join  my  force  since  there  is  no  chance  for  matrimo- 
ny. Is  that  the  case  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  far  from  it.  We  have  had  all  the  soldiering  we  desire  for  the 
balance  of  our  lives,"  and  1  rapidly  related  our  experience  in  the  cavalry. 

He  was  kind  enough  to  listen  without  a  word  of  comment,  and  when  I 
had  concluded  asked  abruptly,  — 

"  How  many  men  are  there  in  that  company  of  cavalry,  and  who  com- 
mands it  ?  " 

If  he  expected  to  get  any  information  from  us  he  was  mistaken,  even  if 
he  did  take  us  by  surprise  in  asking  the  question. 

"  Pardon  me,  captain,"  I  said,  "  we  are  not  here  as  spies  or  tale-bearers, 


Lewey  and  /.  311 


so  please  ask  us  no  questions  that  would  not  be  honorable  in  us  to  answer. 
We  came  here  as  messengers  for  General  Castro  simply  because  we  were 
available,  and  can  speak  English.  He  discharged  us  from  the  Mexican 
service,  recalled  our  matriculadors,  and  is  to  give  us  a  pass  to  reside  or 
travel  in  any  part  of  the  State.  We  perform  this  duty  as  a  debt  of  gratitude 
to  him,  and  with  the  understanding  that  we  should  not  be  required  to  state 
what  we  saw  here,  or  heard,  your  strength  or  intentions.  The  general's 
despatches  will  tell  you  all  that  you  require  to  know  about  his  business." 

He  looked  at  us  calmly,  seemed  to  weigh  each  word  that  I  uttered,  as  if 
to  determine  my  sincerity,  and,  while  the  captain  and  I  were  thus  occupied, 
Lewey  put  in  his  oar. 

"  Ve  has  been  unfortunate  in  not  bein'  married,  but  at  de  same  time  ve 
is  bery  honest  young  men,"  just  as  though  that  was  going  to  help  us. 

As  Lewey  uttered  the  words  the  captain  looked  at  him,  and  so  steadily 
that  my  friend  dropped  his  eyes,  for  the  first  time  a  little  abashed  at  his 
temerity  in  speaking. 

"  You  need  say  nothing  about  the  forces  under  General  Castro,"  Captain 
Fremont  said,  after  a  pause,  "  if  you  think  such  a  course  compromises  you 
in  the  least.  I  know  as  well  as  you  do  how  many  men  he  can  muster,  in- 
fantry and  cavalry,  and  that  the  latter  are  not  of  much  account  just  at  pres- 
ent. I  saw  some  of  them  pass  over  the  mountains  the  other  day,  and  the 
sight  was  not  inspiring  to  a  warrior.  Give  me  the  letter  from  the  general, 
I  will  read  it,  and  send  an  answer  tomorrow.  It  is  too  late  today  for  you 
to  return  to  town.  We  shall  have  to  keep  you  in  camp  all  night.  The 
passes  are  difficult,  and  my  scouts  might  tumble  on  you  in  the  canyons,  or 
on  the  trails,  and  make  a  mistake,  perhaps  a  fatal  one.  We  will  do  all  that 
we  can  to  see  that  you  are  comfortable,  and  do  not  get  hungry." 

He  nodded  to  a  Delaware  Indian,  exchanged  a  few  words  with  him  in  a 
low  tone,  and  then  said,  — 

"  This  man  will  look  after  your  horses,  and  see  that  they  are  piquetted 
and  fed.  They  will  be  safe  in  the  morning,  never  fear,  although  both  are 
nice-looking  animals,  and  the  temptation  to  steal  them  is  great  on  the  part 
of  my  men.  The  Delaware  will  watch  over  and  guard  the  mustangs  as  if 
they  were  his  own,  or  what  is  more,  as  if  they  had  become  my  property." 

I  approached  and  put  General  Castro's  letter  in  the  commander's  hand, 
and  as  I  did  so  gave  him  Mr.  Larkin's  document  at  the  same  time. 

"  One  is  from  the  American  consul,"  I  said.  "  He  is  anxious  to  commu- 
nicate with  you  for  some  reason  best  known  to  himself.  I  will  take  your  an- 
swer, and  see  that  he  gets  it  safely.  I  do  this  for  the  honor  of  my  country  and 


Lewey  and  I. 


not  for  gain.  I  act  as  messenger  for  General  Castro,  and  not  Mr.  Larkin, 
but  the  latter  will  keep  the  matter  to  himself,  and  I  hope  you  will  also. 
My  safety  depends  upon  it." 

He  nodded,  drew  aside  his  hunting  dress,  and  put  the  papers  in  his  bosom, 
and  as  he  did  so  I  saw  that  instead  of  wearing  white  linen  next  to  his  skin 
he  had  a  red  flannel  shirt  like  the  rest  of  his  men,  and  not  a  particle  clean- 
er, as  far  as  I  could  judge  by  a  hasty  glance. 

I  never  fully  knevv  the  contents  of  either  despatch,  but  I  surmised  that 
the  Mexican  general  stated  to  Captain  Fremont  his  firm  intention  of  kick- 
ing him  out  of  the  State  in  shoit  order  unless  he  took  his  departure  in  a 
given  time.  Mr.  Larkin's  letter,  I  was  afterward  partially  informed,  con- 
tained the  important  announcement  that  the  Columbus,  Independence,  and 
Congress  were  near  the  coast,  and  might  be  expected  in  Monterey  harbor 
at  any  time.  Fremont  was  advised  to  risk  no  general  engagement,  as  the 
Mexicans  were  in  strong  force,  and  if  they  conquered  the  result  would  be 
disastrous  for  American  interests.  This  was  sound  and  good  advice,  and 
I  have  always  taken  credit  to  myself  for  carrying  such  valuable  information 
to  one  who  was  hemmed  in  by  mountains  and  an  unfriendly  and  revengeful 
people.  If  the  United  States  government  is  disposed  to  grant  me  a  pension 
for  my  services  on  the  occasion, 'dating  from  1846,  I  shall  not  refuse  it,  for 
money  is  always  valuable  to  people  who  write  books  for  a  living.  But,  as 
republics  are  ungrateful,  I  fear  the  government  will  never  do  justice,  and 
vote  me  the  money. 

The  commander  of  the  forces  retired  to  the  shade  of  a  tree  to  read  his 
despatches,  while  ilewey  and  1  wandered  around  the  enclosure,  which  the 
men  had  fortified  by  felling  trees,  forming  a  complete  abatis,  the  branches 
extending  outward,  making  the  storming  of  the  place  one  of  extreme  diffi- 
culty, especially  when  the  inner  circle  was  defended  by  sixty-five  men  who 
were  accustomed  to  the  use  of  rifles  all  their  lives,  and  dead  shots  at  one 
hundred  yards  or  more. 

When  dinner  was  ready  we  were  requested  to  take  our  share  with  the  men. 
The  food  consisted  of  venison,  and  not  much  else,  but  as  there  was  enough 
of  it  no  one  went  hungry.  Every  hour  a  trapper  would  drop  in,  and  make 
a  report,  and  another  one  depart  for  some  secret  service.  It  was  evident 
that  nothing  went  on  outside  of  the  lines  that  the  commander  did  not  know, 
and  a  surprise  by  the  Mexicans  was  out  of  the  question. 

We  were  treated  very  kindly  by  the  trappers.  They  saw  that~Captain 
Fremont  had  received  us  without  suspicion,  and  while  they  asked  us  for 
news  they  did  not  insist  upon  knowing  too  much  of  what  was  going  on  in 


Lewey  and  I.  315 


town.  One  of  them  inquired  if  we  were  shaken  up  by  the  earthquake,  and 
asked  how  Cook  felt  at  the  loss  of  his  aguardiente  ?  Then  some  of  the 
men  laughed,  and  one  brawny  fellow  said,  — 

"  1  should  like  to  have  been  thar,  and  got  a  whack  at  that  rum.  It  seems 
to  me,  Jim,  yer  could  have  made  away  with  a  bottle  or  two  outside  of  yer 
skin,  darn  yer  eyes,"  and  Jim  responded  by  saying  in  a  significant  tone,  — 

"  I  had  somethin'  else  to  think  of  jistat  that  time,  with  a  hundred  fright- 
ened greasers  around  me,  and  any  one  of  'em  ready  to  cut  my  wizzen  at  the 
first  sign  I  give  of  bein'  a  Yank." 

This  was  proof  to  me  that  one  of  the  trappers  had  visited  Monterey  on 
the  night  of  the  earthquake,  in  disguise,  and  seen  all  that  transpired,  and 
taken  note  of  the  Mexican  forces  and  surroundings.  The  mission  was  a 
dangerous  one,  and  if  he  had  been  discovered  his  life  would  have  paid  the 
penalty  of  his  rashness.  But  as  Jim  spoke  some  Spanish  he  probably 
moved  through  the  crowd  unnoticed  and  undetected. 

That  evening  we  sat  around  the  camp  fire,  smoked  our  pipes,  and  listened 
to  the  tough  yarns  of  the  trappers  and  guides.  They  told  of  bold  encoun- 
ters with  Indians,  grisly  bears,  and  other  animals,  and  seemed  as  careless 
of  the  future  as  school  boys.  They  did  not  know  the  plans  of  their  com- 
mander, and  appeared  regardless  what  they  were,  as  long  as  he  led  them, 
confident  that  he  would  cut  his  way  through  all  obstacles,  though  the 
Mexicans  numbered  ten  to  one.  They  had  come  from  the  banks  of  the 
Sacramento  River,  marched  by  easy  stages  to  their  present  camp,  and 
would  leave  when  they  got  ready,  and  not  before.  I  think  that  they  were 
the  most  indifferent,  careless  set  of  men  that  I  ever  saw  in  an  enemy's 
country,  considering  their  number,  and  with  no  hope  for  relief  in  case  they 
were  cut  off  in  their  line  of  retreat. 

The  commander  rolled  himself  up  in  his  blankets  under  a  tree,  a  saddle 
for  a  pillow,  and  went  to  sleep,  six  Delaware  Indians  —  his  devoted  body 
guard  —  lyin.dc  on  the  ground  near  him,  ready  to  start  into  life  and  activity 
at  a  moment's  notice,  with  rifles  at  their  sides,  and  long  knives  ready  to 
grasp. 

It  was  a  strange  and  weird  scene,  that  night  in  camp,  as  we  sat  near  the 
fire,  with  stout  bearded  men  all  around  us,  the  wind  sighing  through  the 
trees,  the  stars  shining  brightly  overhead,  and  the  mysterious  noises  of  the 
forests  coming  up  from  the  valleys  and  sides  of  the  mountain.  Once  in  a 
while  the  sharp  bark  of  a  coyote  was  heard,  and  then  the  trappers  listened 
very  attentively,  and  after  the  noise  was  repeated  would  mutter,  — 

"  That  's  a  real  brute  arter  a  supper,"  or  else  some  one  growled  out,  — 


316  Lewey  and  I. 


"  What 's  the  matter  with  Jake  that  he  's  makin'  all  that  fuss  ? "  showing 
that  these  men  of  the  wilderness  could  tell  the  false  from  the  true,  although 
to  my  ears  both  yelps  sounded  alike,  and  I  could  not  distinguish  the  human 
imitation  from  the  real  snapping  and  snarling  of  the  brutes. 

One  by  one  the  hunters  dropped  off  to  sleep,  and  then  Lewey  and  I  and 
Jack  rolled  ourselves  up  in  our  blankets,  and  with  saddles  for  pillows  went 
to  sleep,  and  we  heard  no  more  noise  until  daylight,  when  the  men  got  up, 
yawned  and  stretched  themselves,  and  some  prepared  breakfast,  while 
others  shouldered  their  rifles,  and  departed  upon  secret  service,  uttering  no 
word,  and  receiving  no  orders. 

"  The  cap'en  wants  yer  lads,"  growled  the  trapper  who  had  led  us  into 
camp,  soon  after  breakfast,  and  we  removed  the  pipes  from  our  mouths,  and 
went  to  the  commander,  who  had  resumed  his  seat  on  the  stump  of  a  tree, 
and  looked  just  as  he  did  the  day  before,  handkerchief  "and  all,  calm  and 
contented,  apparently  without  a  thought  of  what  the  day  would  bring 
forth. 

"  Have  you  eaten  your  breakfast  ? "  Captain  Fremont  asked  as  we  stood 
before  him. 

"  Yes,  sir/' 

"  Then  you  can  return  to  town  immediately  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  if  you  desire  us  to  go,"  was  our  prompt  answer. 

"  I  do,"  and  then  turning  to  a  Delaware  who  stood  near,  ever  watchful, 
for  fear  of  treachery,  Captain  Fremont  said,  — 

"  Saddle  these  young  men's  animals  immediately,  so  that  they  can 
depart." 

The  Delaware  went  on  his  mission,  and  then  the  commander  took  two 
documents  from  his  pocket,  and  handed  them  to  me. 

"  One  of  these,"  he  said,  "  is  for  Mr.  Larkin  and  the  other  for  General 
Castro.  You  will  see  that  both  safely  reach  their  destination.  I  have  re- 
quested permission  of  the  governor  to  make  my  way  to  Santa  Barbara  by 
land.  He  has  refused  compliance,  and  now  I  shall  have  to  go  without  con- 
sulting him,  and  in  defiance  of  his  army." 

''The  task  is  a  dangerous  one,  captain,"  I  could  not  resist  saying. 
"  Twice  your  number  of  men  could  not  accomplish  it." 

A  faint  smile  passed  over  the  bronzed  face  that  looked  30  hard  and  stern, 
and  then  the  great  explorer  remarked,  — 

"  I  know  all  the  dangers  of  the  route,  younsf  man,  as  well  as  you,  perhaps 
a  little  better.  But  impress  upon  General  Castro's  mind,  if  he  should  ques- 
tion you,  that  my  mind  is  made  up,  and  go  I  will." 


Lewey  and  I.  31/ 


"I  shall  give  him  no  information  on  that  point,"  I  cried  hastily.  "  I  did 
not  come  here  as  a  spy,  and  refuse  to  act  the  part  of  one." 

"  Young  man,"  the  captain  said  in  a  stern  tone,  and  with  a  look  on  his 
face  that  showed  he  was  weighing  his  words  very  carefully,  "  I  want  you  to 
benefit  your  country  and  me  at  the  same  time.  You  must  volunteer  to 
guide  General  Castro  and  his  army  to  this  camp." 

"  Never,"  I  said  very  emphatically,  and  looked  the  indignation  that  I  felt 
at  the  suggestion. 

"Nebber,"  muttered  Lewey.  "Ve  is  not  mouchers,  by  von  blanked 
sight." 

The  explorer  waited  until  our  indignation  had  subsided,  and  then  spoke 
quite  as  calmly  as  before,  as  though  he  did  not  feel  discouraged  by  our 
refusal. 

"  Understand  me*,  young  men.  No  harm  can  happen  to  my  command  if 
you  do  as  I  request.  I  have  a  motive  in  making  it.  Listen  to  me  atten- 
tively, and  I  speak  thus  plainly  because  I  think  you  honest  and  trust- 
worthy. If  you  were  not  I  should  withhold  my  confidence.  General  Cas- 
tro must  be  led  here,  and  given  the  impression  that  I  am  weak  in  point  of 
numbers  and  intrenchment.  I  want  him  to  charge  the  camp,  and  capture 
it." 

"  That  would  involve  the  shedding  of  much  blood,  and  our  own  lives 
would  be  sacrificed  by  the  defeated  Mexicans.  No,  captain,  you  must  think 
of  some  other  scheme.  We  will  not  take  part  in  the  one  you  propose,"  I 
said. 

"  You  silly  boys,"  was  the  reply,  "  did  I  not  say  the  camp  was  to  be  cap- 
tured by  the  Mexicans  ?  " 

"  Then  you  and  the  men  will  lose  your  lives.  The  Mexicans  are  preju- 
diced against  you,  and  will  spare  not  if  they  succeed  in  getting  you  in  their 
power.  Better  fight  and  fall,  than  be  captured  and  shot  by  the  enraged 
greasers." 

"  Very  wise  counsel,  young  man,"  was  the  calm  reply,  "  but  I  do  not  pro- 
pose to  be  captured  or  shot  if  I  can  prevent  it.  All  that  I  ask  for  is  time, 
and  time  I  must  have.  Listen  to  me,  and  pay  particular  attention  to  what 
I  have  to  say,  for  it  is  important,  and  I  will  trust  you.  We  have  but  ten 
rounds  of  ammunition  for  each  man,  and  that  is  not  enough  for  a  siege. 
The  sloop-of-war  Portsmouth,  I  have  just  learned  by  a  courier,  is  at  San 
Francisco,  and  from  her  we  can  get  all  the  powder  and  lead  we  desire.  I 
expected  some  here,  but  my  agents  have  been  cut  off.  I  thought  I  should 
find  the  frigate  Congress  in  Monterey  harbor,  or  at  Santa  Barbara,  but  she 


5lS  Lewey  and  I. 


has  not  arrived  at  either  place.  General  Castro  is  preparing  to  throw  a 
force  between  me  and  the  latter  port.  He  has  a  regiment  of  cavalry  at 
Santa  Cruz  to  cut  off  my  retreat  to  Yerba  Buena.  Tomorrow  five  compa- 
nies will  occupy  the  canyons  between  here  and  Santa  Barbara.  I  could 
whip  either  force  if  I  had  plenty  of  ammunition.  But  as  I  have  not  I  must 
do  the  best  I  can,  and  avoid  giving  or  accepting  battle.  If  Castro  will  with- 
draw his  men  from  Santa  Cruz,  and  concentrate  them  in  front  of  me,  under 
the  impression  that  I  am  determined  to  go  to  Santa  Barbara,  all  would 
be  well.  You  can  manage  this  by  reporting  that  I  am  fierce  for  a  forward 
movement,  and  will  make  one  at  all  hazards,  say  by  the  day  after  tomorrow. 
Do  you  understand  me  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir.  When  the  camp  is  charged  on  there  will  be  no  one  here  to 
capture,"  I  remarked. 

"That  is  about  the  whole  story,"  was  the  careless  reply,  with  a  faint 
smile. 

"  I  can  do  it,"  Lewey  said.  "  If  my  friend  no  vant  to  speak  on  account 
of  his  country  me  do  it  for  him.  I  does  not  vant  to  tell  a  lie,  but  I  vill  for 
vonce.  Dat  is,  I  let  fall  de  hint." 

The  captain  nodded,  and  waved  his  hand  to  intimate  that  the  interview 
was  terminated,  and  also  for  the  Delaware  to  bring  up  the  horses  all 
saddled. 

"  You  will  not  be  blindfolded  in  returning  to  town,"  Captain  Fremont 
said,  as  we  mounted  our  mustangs  and  called  the  dog.  "  Keep  your  eyes 
open,  and  note  the  trails  and  canyons.  You  may  want  to  find  your  way 
back  in  case  of  necessity,"  and,  just  as  we  were  about  to  bid  the  explorer 
adieu,  who  should  enter  the  camp,  in  charge  of  two  scouts,  but  Antonio  and 
Carlos  Sanchos. 

We  could  not  divine  their  errand,  for  it  was  evident  they  were  willing 
captives,  and  then  it  suddenly  struck  me  that  the  greasers  were  Fremont  s 
spies,  and  in  his  pay,  or  else  were  desirous  of  selling  their  services  to  him  in 
revenge  for  their  treatment  by  General  Castro. 

"  Captain,"  I  cried,  as  the  Mexicans  moved  toward  him,  their  dark  faces 
showing  some  of  the  hate  they  felt  for  us,  yet  surprised  at  the  meeting  in 
an  enemy's  camp,  "  these  two  ruffians  are  the  worst  scoundrels  in  Califor- 
nia. They  will  sell  you  for  an  ounce  of  gold.  Do  not  put  any  faith  in 
them.  They  will  lie  and  steal  from  all  parties." 

"  I  know  them,"  was  the  quiet  response. 

"  And,  cap'en,"  cried  the  irrepressible  Lewey,  "  please  keep  de  throat- 
cutters  in  de  camp  till  ve  is  clear  of  de  trails  and  de  canyons.  Ve  does  not 


Lewey  and  I.  319 


care  to  meet  sich  peoples  in  de  vilderness  unless  ve  has  de  fust  shot.  Au 
revoir." 

We  touched  the  horses,  and  passed  out  of  the  only  entrance  that  was 
clear  of  fallen  trees,  and  as  we  did  so  saw  the  two  Mexican  greasers  gazing 
after  us,  hate  stamped  on  their  ugly  faces,  yet  baffled  because  they  did  not 
understand  a  word  we  had  uttered,  not  comprehending  our  English,  yet 
suspecting  we  had  given  Fremont  a  hint. 

The  rude  trappers  joked  us  as  we  passed  them,  and  intimated  that  they 
would  soon  see  us  again. 

"  We  shall  be  in  Monterey  in  a  little  while,"  they  said.  "  Tell  old  Cook 
to  get  in  a  fresh  stock  of  rum,  and  not  to  water  it.  We  want  ours 
strong." 

Outside  of  the  abatis  a  Delaware  Indian  on  foot  joined  us,  and  said  that 
he  was  to  act  as  guide  to  the  main  trail. 

"  Follow  me,  and  keep  still  and  close,"  he  said,  and  then  moved  along 
the  mountain  side,  down  the  valley,  through  a  narrow  gorge,  and  finally 
struck  the  main  trail  that  led  to  Monterey. 

"You  go  dat  way,"  the  Indian  said,  and  pointed  in  the  direction  of  the 
town,  and  without  another  word  he  turned  and  plunged  into  the  forest,  and 
was  lost  to  sight,  and  we  could  not  even  hear  his  footsteps  over  the  dry 
leaves  and  fagots  so  careful  was  the  red  man  in  picking  his  way  back  to 
camp.  We  noticed  that  he  did  not  return  the  same  route  that  he  followed 
when  acting  as  our  escort. 

We  had  seen  no  one  since  leaving  Hawk's  Peak,  and  yet  I  had  no  doubt 
but  that  watchful  eyes  noted  our  movements,  and  kept  the  run  of  our  course, 
and  was  the  more  convinced  of  this  because,  as  we  turned  toward  the  town, 
we  heard  far  up  the  side  of  the  mountain  the  hoarse  cawing  of  a  crow,  yet 
not  a  bird  of  that  species  was  in  sight.  Then  further  along  there  was  an- 
other "caw,"  "caw,"  and  suddenly  the  wild  scream  of  an  eagle,  and  then 
all  was  quiet,  and  the  forest  seemed  deprived  of  life,  for  not  so  much  as 
a  deer  bounded  across  the  trail  as  we  loped  along  on  our  way  to 
Monterey. 

Just  before  we  got  to  the  Mission  Carmel  we  noticed  an  Indian  woman 
picking  berries  by  the  side  of  the  road.  She  was  so  much  occupied  that 
she  did  not  even  look  toward  us,  but  continued  her  work,  with  head  bent 
down  and  busy  fingers. 

"  What  luck,  old  lady  ? "  asked  Lewey,  as  we  walked  our  horses  past 
her. 


320  Lewey  and  I. 


She  did  not  glance  at  us,  but  simply  uttered  one  single  word,  and  that 
was,  — 

"  Papel." 

Remembering  Mr.  Larkin's  instructions,  I  dropped  the  letter  which  I 
had  received  for  him  from  Captain  Fremont  into  a  clump  of  bushes,  and 
passed  on,  but  as  I  glanced  back  the  Indian  woman  was  working  her  way 
toward  the  place  where  the  missive  was  concealed,  and  when  we  turned  a 
bend  in  the  trail,  and  took  one  more  look,  she  had  disappeared  from  sight, 
and  I  saw  no  more  of  her,  but  it  was  lucky  she  met  us  just  as  she  did,  for 
as  we  turned  we  ran  plump  into  a  squad  of  Mexican  cavalry,  who  were 
drawn  across  the  road,  on  the  watch  for  stragglers  and  foreign  scouts,  and 
rather  careless  in  the  handling  of  their  carbines,  for  four  or  five  were 
pointed  at  us,  all  of  them  loaded  and  cocked,  and  the  sergeant  of  the  force 
yelled  out  in  a  fierce  tone,  — 

"  Parada." 

Of  course  we  stopped.  It  is  always  best  to  obey  orders  when  you  can't 
help  yourself,  and  to  have  green  soldiers  fooling  with  loaded  guns  in  your 
presence  is  not  suggestive  of  a  long  and  happy  life. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  the  sergeant  demanded,  as  he  rode  up  to  take  a  look 
at  us.  The  fellow  knew  us  very  well,  but  pretended  that  he  did  not,  for 
some  reason  we  could  not  divine. 

"  We  are  couriers  in  the  employ  of  General  Castro,"  Lewey  answered. 
"  We  have  despatches  for  his  excellency." 

"  Let  me  see  them,"  was  the  next  order. 

The  paper  was  shown  to  him,  but  as  he  could  not  read  it  did  not  help 
matters  much. 

"  Dismount,  and  let  me  search  you,"  the  petty  officer  commanded. 

"  What  for?  "  demanded  Lewey.  "  We  do  not  wish  to  waste  time.  We 
have  no  papers  on  our  persons  except  this  one  from  Captain  Fremont  to 
the  governor." 

"  You  have  seen  the  robber,  have  you  ?  "  asked  the  non-commissioned  of- 
ficer, and  his  men  listened  with  eager  looks. 

"We  left  Captain  Fremont  only  a  few  hours  ago,"  was  our  cautious 
reply. 

"  How  many  men  has  he  under  his  command  ?  "  the  soldier  asked. 

"  Pardon  me,"  I  cried,  "  these  are  matters  for  the  general,  and  not  for 
you.  If  we  are  detained  much  longer  it  is  probable  you  will  hear  of  it  in 
some  forcible  manner.  His  excellency  is  not  a  patient  man  when  he  is 
waiting  for  news." 


Lewey  and  I.  321 


"  He  must  wait  this  time,"  was  the  answer,  "for  I  am  going  to  search 
both  of  you.  Such  are  my  orders,  I  am  sorry  to  say." 

"  Do  you  not  recollect  us  ?  "  I  asked.  "  You  must  have  seen  us  yester- 
day morning  when  we  departed  from  Monterey." 

"  Yes,  and  when  you  came  with  the  volante,  as  escort  for  the  general's 
wife  and  Captain  Fernando's  sister.  We  know  you  quite  well,  but  for  all 
that  we  must  search  you.  It  is  orders." 

The  cunning  Castro,  or  some  one  else,  had  feared  and  suspected  we 
would  have  a  package  for  Mr.  Larkin,  and  if  that  was  obtained  the  true 
condition  of  Captain  Fremont  and  his  force  would  be  known.  The  Ameri- 
can consul  knew  the  peculiarities  of  Mexican  character,  however,  and  had 
posted  the  Indian  woman  where  she  would  be  apt  to  encounter  us  before 
the  soldiers  were  stumbled  upon.  The  latter  never  thought  the  industrious 
berry-picker  was  waiting  for  a  paper  that  the  Mexican  government  was  anx- 
ious to  get  hold  of,  and  so  she  passed  on  her  way,  and  the  document  was 
duly  received  that  same  evening  by  Mr.  Larkin,  and  I  may  as  well  state 
that  we  were  awarded  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  for  our  services,  more  than 
enough  to  pay  for  our  sailor  suits.  I  trust  the  United  States  reimbursed 
the  consul  for  the  outlay,  but  fear  not. 

We  dismounted,  and  the  sergeant  went  through  our  clothing  like  an  ex- 
pert pick-pocket.  He  found  nothing,  however,  but  was  a  little  curious  over 
our  money  belts,  where  our  doubloons  were  secreted.  Lewey  told  the 
man  that  they  were  charms  for  keeping  off  evil  spirits,  and  so  our  gold  was 
not  disturbed,  as  we  feared  it  would  be,  for  there  was  enough  to  tempt  a 
whole  company  of  cavalry  to  commit  murder. 

"  Go  on,"  said  the  sergeant,  as  soon  as  the  examination  was  concluded. 
"  You  are  all  right.  We  are  satisfied  that  you  have  told  the  truth.  Now 
ride  fast,  for  General  Castro  is  expecting  you,  and  anxious  for  your 
appearance." 

We  did  not  waste  any  time,  but  remounted  our  horses,  and  dashed  to- 
ward the  town,  arriving  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  We  went 
directly  to  the  government  house,  but  the  general  was  taking  a  hort  siesta, 
and  could  not  be  disturbed,  so  waited  an  hour  before  he  awoke  and  re- 
ceived us. 

"  Well,  senors,"  he  asked,  as  we  were  ushered  into  his  presence,  "  how 
did  you  find  Captain  Fremont  and  his  band  of  plunderers  ?  " 

"  The  captain  is  well,  general,  and  sends  you  this  despatch  for  your  in- 
formation," and  I  handed  the  governor  the  letter  I  had  received  from  the 
explorer. 


322  Lewey  and  I. 


The  general  opened  it,  looked  at  the  writing,  and  .then  said,  in  a  tone  of 
scorn, — 

**  It  is  in  English.  I  do  not  read  that  language.  Translate  for  me,  and 
let  us  hear  what  he  says." 

I  took  the  document,  and  by  Lewey's  aid  made  out  that  the  captain  was 
defiant,  and  intended  to  march  to  Santa  Barbara  at  all  hazards,  and  at  an 
early  day.  He  declared  that  his  intentions  were  peaceable,  but  he  should 
use  force  against  force  if  necessary,  and  kill  all  who  opposed  his 
progress. 

The  governor  was  indignant,  as  he  had  a  right  to  be.  He  swore  a  little 
in  choice  Spanish,  and  then  turned  to  us  and  asked,  — 

"  How  many  men  has  this  Fremont  under  his  command  ?  " 

"  General,"  I  said,  "you  know  you  promised  we  should  not  be  used  as 
spies.  Please  spare  us  the  pain  of  refusing  your  request  for  information." 

The  general  frowned,  and  Lewey  saw  that  the  answer  was  not  agreeable. 
He  tried  to  blunt  the  point  of  my  speech  by  shoving  in  an  oar  in  his  usual 
impressive  manner. 

"  My  friend,"  he  said,  "  is  an  American,  and  proud  of  his  country.  He 
thinks  that  it  would  be  treason  to  give  reports  that  might  damage  his  na- 
tion. But  I  am  a  Frenchman,  and  can  do  as  I  please.  Question  me,  gen- 
eral, and  I  will  answer  like  a  truthful  man." 

I  gave  Lewey  a  look  that  should  have  made  him  quiver,  but  he  did  not 
appear  to  notice  it.  He  seemed  hardened,  and  lost  to  all  shame. 

"  Well,  my  friend,"  asked  Castro,  "  how  many  men  has  Fremont  under 
his  command  ? " 

"Two  hundred,"  was  the  prompt  response.  "I  counted  them  all,  and 
know  Every  hunter  is  a  dead  shot  with  his  rifle,  and  say  that  they 
can  march  all  over  the  country,  and  no  one  dare  to  dispute  their  way." 

1  looked  at  the  lad  with  admiration.  He  could  lie  magnificently  when  he 
was  disposed  to  let  himself  out,  and  it  was  evident  he  was  going  to  do  jus- 
tice to  his  reputation  during  the  interview. 

"  I  thought,"  cried  the  surprised  governor,  "  that  there  were  not  more 
than  one  hundred  los  Americanos." 

"  A  mistake,  I  assure  your  excellency.  The  captain  is  so  strong  that  he 
thinks  of  sending  part  of  his  force  to  Santa  Cruz,  and  capturing  the  regi- 
ment that  is  there.  I  heard  the  plan  discussed,"  the  wicked  boy  ex- 
claimed. 

"  Diablo,  is  that  so  ?  We  must  look  to  it  at  once.  My  men  have  no 
idea  of  such  an  intention.  I  will  send  an  aid  to  recall  all  the  cavalry  this 


Lewey  and  I.  323 


very  night.  The  saints  preserve  me,  but  what  a  lucky  escape.  Ah,  you 
are  a  wonderful  boy.  You  have  your  eyes  open  all  the  time." 

The  modest  Lewey  blushed  at  the  compliment,  and  bowed  very  profound 
ly,  while  I  gazed  at  my  friend  in  wonder. 

"  Did  you  hear,"  insinuated  the  general,  "  at  what  time  the  Americans 
intended  to  take  up  their  line  of  march  for  Santa  Barbara  ?  " 

"  The  time  was  not  definitely  fixed,"  replied  the  youth,  "  but  I  suspect 
that  they  will  move  about  the  day  after  tomorrow." 

"  Then  we  will  be  ready  for  them.  Not  a  man  shall  escape  us,"  and  the 
general  rubbed  his  hands,  as  he  thought  of  the  surprise  in  store  for  Captain 
Fremont. 

He  nodded  his  head  that  the  interview  was  ended,  and  we  retired  from 
the  presence  of  the  general,  Lewey  well  satisfied  with  the  part  he  had 
played,  and  grinning  from  ear  to  ear. 

"  How  could  you  lie  so  outrageously  ?  "  I  asked  my  friend,  as  we  mounted 
our  horses  to  ride  to  the  house  of  Donna  Costello. 

"  Dat  is  all  right,"  the  lad  replied.  "  He  vill  lie  to  us  to  suit  his  pleas- 
ure, and  ve  must  meet  cheat  vid  cheat.  I  is  a  Frenchman,  and  vas  born 
for  de  diplomacy.  Had  I  de  chance  a  future  great  vould  be  before  me. 
Even  de  magnificent  Napoleon  could  tell  some  hard  yarns  ven  him  it 
suited,  and  vy  should  not  I  foliar  his  example  ? " 

There  was  no  use  replying  to  such  an  argument,  so  I  remained  silent, 
but  as  we  walked  our  horses  across  the  plaza  hundreds  of  people  turned 
out  to  see  us  pass,  for  the  rumor  had  gone  forth  that  we  had  been  on  a 
mission  to  Captain  Fremont,  and  returned  alive,  a  wonder  to  every  one. 

We  saw  Mr.  Larkin  sitting  on  his  veranda,  but  he  paid  no  more  attention 
to  us  than  if  we  had  been  greasers  of  the  lower  order.  He  did  not  bow,  or 
seem  to  care  if  he  never  saw  us  again,  and  yet  the  consul  was  devoured 
with  anxiety  to  learn  all  the  particulars  of  our  trip,  and  if  a  certain  letter 
would  be  placed  in  his  hands  before  many  hours,  so  that  he  could  be  in- 
formed of  coming  events.  There  were  many  watchful  eyes  on  us,  however, 
and  on  Mr.  Larkin,  and  the  least  sign  would  be  reported  to  headquarters, 
and  luckily  we  were  aware  of  the  fact.  And  so  we  passed  the  old  gentle- 
man in  pretended  ignorance  of  his  presence,  and  when  we  were  at  Donna 
Costello's  house  the  lady  received  us  with  much  affection,  as  though  we 
had  been  her  brothers,  returning  from  a  journey  of  several  months'  du- 
ration. 

We  turned  our  horses  into  the  corral,  gave  them  a  feed  of  barley,  and 
then  listened  to  the  questions  of  our  sweet  hostess,  who  was  as  full  of  interro- 


324  Lewey  and  I. 


gations  as  a  school-girl.  She  supposed  that  Captain  Fremont  and  his  men 
were  nearly  akin  to  Apache  Indians,  black,  with  long  hair,  and  half  naked, 
savage  and  untamable,  feasting  on  raw  meat,  drinking  blood  as  a  simple 
tonic,  and  murdering  all  who  crossed  their  path  or  fell  into  their  hands. 

It  was  useless  to  reason  with  the  lady,  or  convince  her  that  she  had 
formed  erroneous  impressions  of  my  countrymen.  She  had  been  told  by 
her  people  the  most  extravagant  stories,  and  really  credited  them.  In  the 
year  1846  such  yarns  were  generally  believed,  and  women  of  superior  edu- 
cation, far  above  that  which  most  received  in  the  country,  declared  they 
should  prefer  death  to  falling  into  Fremont's  hands.  The  most  absurd 
canards  were  reported  by  the  government  officials  for  the  sake  of  firing  the 
hearts  of  the  people,  and  destroying  the  explorer  and  his  men.  I  do  not 
mean  to  intimate  that  the  latter  were  angels  when  on  a  scout,  or  foraging 
expedition,  but  they  were  not  near  so  bad  as  the  Mexicans  in  their  treat- 
ment of  men  and  women  at  lonely  ranches. 

So  Donna  Costello,  in  defiance  of  her  regard  for  me,  would  not  be  con- 
vinced, and  I  gave  up  the  attempt,  and  let  Captain  Fremont  take  care  of 
his  own  reputation,  as  I  supposed  he  was  capable  of  doing  without  any  as. 
sistance  on  my  part. 

Captain  Fernando  called  to  see  his  sister  in  the  evening,  and  had  a  long 
talk  with  us.  From  hints  which  he  dropped  we  knew  that  General  Castro 
was  massing  his  troops  for  an  attack  in  the  course  of  a  day  or  two.  We 
told  the  young  officer  that  we  had  seen  Antonio  and  Carlos  Sanchos  in  the 
camp  of  Fremont,  and  that  it  looked  to  us  as  though  they  had  gone  there 
willingly,  and  for  the  purpose  of  selling  the  secrets  of  the  government  to 
an  enemy.  He  was  much  surprised  at  the  news,  and  immediately  repaired 
to  the  governor  to  impart  the  information,  and  the  next  day  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  reading  a  proclamation  in  which  all  three  of  the  brothers  were 
declared  enemies  of  the  republic,  and  therefore  outlaws,  and  a  price  set  on 
their  heads,  dead  or  alive.  This  was  something  of  a  change  from  being  the 
unscrupulous  secret  agents  of  the  State,  and  we  rejoiced  that  we  had  aided 
in  their  downfall,  for  they  had  persecuted  us,  and  nearly  wrecked  our  lives 
by  their  plots. 

The  next  day  being  Friday,  and  having  nothing  to  do,  we  borrowed  the 
schooner  California's  boat,  and  went  off  the  Point  of  Pines  fishing,  and 
great  success  rewarded  our  undertaking.  We  caught  over  a  hundred 
pounds  of  red  fish,  and  some  other  varieties,  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours, 
and  then  distributed  the  catch  among  such  families  as  our  little  hostess 
designated,  the  governor  being  made  happy  by  the  present  of  about  twenty 


Lewey  and  I.  325 


pounds,  and  Donna  Augusta  coming  in  for  a  share.  This  suggested  to  us 
a  new  field  of  industry  and  pleasure  combined,  for,  with  the  bay  full  of  fish, 
there  was  not  a  fisherman  in  the  town,  or  a  spare  boat  to  navigate  the  wa- 
ters. Sometime  afterward  Lewey  and  I  made  a  profitable  living  in  supply- 
*  ing  the  market  with  such  fish  as  we  caught,  and  sold  to  the  people  who  had 
funds  to  buy.  Quite  a  number  would  state  in  quiet  and  polite  tones,  when 
picking  out  a  fish,  that  the  money  would  be  forthcoming  some  other  day,  or 
manana.  I  suppose  the  principal  and  interest  of  sums  owed  us  in  Monte- 
'  rey  would  pay  for  several  months'  board  at  the  best  hotel  in  the  place,  at 
the  present  time  and  present  rates. 

That  evening  Captain  Fernando  paid  his  accustomed  visit  to  his  sister, 
and,  while  we  sat  smoking,  intimated  that  a  movement  would  be  made  on 
Captain  Fremont  the  next  day,  and  asked  if  we  would  like  to  go  with  him, 
and  see  the  fun.  I  did  not  know  how  to  answer  the  question,  and  required 
time  to  think  it  over,  while  Lewey  said  that  he  would  go  at  any  rate.  While 
the  young  captain  was  urging  me  to  accept  the  invitation  an  Indian  woman 
staggered  along  the  court-yard,  and  fell  nearly  in  my  lap,  but  as  she  strug- 
gled to  her  feet  I  felt  a  little  piece  of  paper  pushed  into  my  hand,  and  un- 
derstood the  meaning  quite  plainly,  so  said  not  a  word,  but  concealed  the 
slip  in  my  pocket  until  I  should  be  alone,  and  have  time  to  look  at  it  by  the 
aid  of  a  lamp. 

"Get  out  of  this,  you  drunken  old  hag,"  roared  our  friend,  but  the  wo- 
man uttered  some  words  in  her  native  dialect,  and  staggered  off,  disappear- 
ing in  the  crowd. 

I  made  an  excuse  that  I  wanted  to  fill  my  pipe,  entered  the  kitchen, 
where  a  few  coals  were  still  alive  in  the  little  circle  that  answered  for 
stove  and  range,  lighted  a  sliver,  and  read  on  the  paper  the  single  word,  — 

"  Go." 

Then  I  burned  the  scrap  of  writing,  for  I  knew  where  it  came  from,  and 
rejoined  the  young  captain  and  his  sister. 

"  You  will  accompany  my  brother,  will  you  not  ?  "  Donna  Costello  asked. 
"  I  should  feel  so  much  easier  in  my  mind  if  you  and  your  friend  were  near 
him  in  the  hour  of  battle.  He  is  so  rash,  and  the  Americans  are  so  deadly 
with  their  rifles.  Say  that  you  will  go." 

Of  course  I  could  not  withstand  such  special  pleading  just  after  I  had  re- 
ceived almost  a  direct  command  from  the  consul,  so  said  that  I  would  do 
so,  but  that  I  must  not  be  required  to  take  part  in  any  skirmish  or  fight 
against  my  countrymen.  This  was  readily  agreed  to,  and  the  same  provis- 
ion was  made  regarding  Lewey. 


326  Lewey  and  /. 


"  General  Castro  is  to  take  command,"  the  young  captain  said,  "  so  we 
may  expect  hot  and  bloody  work,"  and  for  the  life  of  me  I  did  not  know 
if  the  officer  was  sarcastic  or  serious  in  his  remark. 

"  The  bugles  will  sound  at  five  o'clock,"  Fernando  said,  as  he  prepared  to 
leave  us.  "  By  six  o'clock  we  shall  be  in  the  saddle.  Better  put  on  your 
Mexican  costumes  to  prevent  mistakes  on  the  part  of  our  men." 

He  kissed  his  sister  good-by,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  house  was  quiet, 
and  we  slept  until  the  loud  notes  of  the  bugles  awakened  us  in  the  morning. 
We  looked  out,  and  saw  men  forming  on  the  plaza,  and  heard  the  rum- 
bling of  three  pieces  of  light  artillery,  as  it  made  its  way  out  of  town,  fol- 
lowed by  a  squad  of  cavalry,  and  then  half  a  dozen  companies  of  infantry 
trotted  along,  looking  none  too  satisfied  with  the  job  before  them. 

We  fed  our  horses,  tied  Jack  up,  as  he  was  not  wanted  on  such  an  expe- 
dition, had  a  cup  ot  coffee  and  breakfast  of  tortillas  and  frijoles,  the  cooks 
and  servants  looking  at  us  with  wonderment,  thinking  we  were  heroes,  and 
then,  in  defiance  of  all  military  rules,  lighted  our  pipes,  and  rode  over  to 
where  Captain  Fernando  was  hard  at  work  getting  his  men  in  line,  prepar- 
atory to  acting  as  escort  for  General  Castro. 

As  we  took  our  places  at  the  head  of  the  column,  special  aids  to  the 
young  captain,  I  looked  across  the  plaza,  and  saw  Mr.  Larkin,  as  usual 
seated  on  the  veranda  of  his  house,  and  apparently  quite  indifferent  to  all 
that  was  going  on  around  him.  He  did  not  even  salute  Lewey  and  myself, 
and  appeared  not  to  see  us. 

Our  old  comrades  grinned  when  they  saw  us,  and  uttered  joking  remarks 
about  our  desire  to  smell  gunpowder,  and  then  there  was  a  hush  along  the 
line  as  General  Castro  and  a  brilliant  staff  rode  by  and  trotted  out  of  the 
town. 

"  By  fours,"  shouted  Captain  Fernando,  and  the  men  obeyed  the  order, 
and  we  were  off  at  a  lope,  the  women  waving  their  hands,  the  boys  cheer- 
ing, and  the  Indians  looking  on  in  sullen  apathy,  not  caring  who  licked,  or 
if  we  never  returned. 

Just  as  we  got  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  and  had  settled  down  to  a 
walk,  having  overtaken  the  advance,  who  should  heave  in  sight  but  old 
Cook,  mounted  on  a  horse  that  he  had  picked  up  somewhere.  We  won- 
dered to  see  him,  as  he  was  not  a  fighting  man,  but  his  errand  was  soon 
made  known.  Out  of  the  fullness  of  his  heart  he  had  brought  two  large 
flasks  of  aguardiente,  and  gave  them  to  Lewey  and  myself,  on  the  ground 
that  we  had  shown  him  many  acts  of  kindness  in  the  past,  and  bought  all 
of  our  clothes  from  his  store. 


Leivey  and  I.  327 


"  It  is  for  snake  bites,"  the  old  fellow  said,  with  a  wink  of  his  watery 
eyes.  "  Lots  of  rattlers  in  the  woods,  and  one  might  nip  you.  Don't  be 
too  bold  for  the  sake  of  the  greaser.  He  'd  let  you  do  all  the  fighting  if 
you  wanted  to,"  and  Cook  returned  to  the  town,  reopened  his  shop,  and 
hoped  for  the  time  when  ships-of-war  would  enter  the  harbor,  sailors  crave 
rum,  and  have  the  cash  to  pay  for  it. 

We  marched  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  then  camped  for" the  night, 
strong  squads  of  infantry  and  cavalry  being  thrown  out  in  all  directions  to 
see  if  a  foe  lurked  near.  But  no  one  of  a  suspicious  nature  was  met,  so 
we  cooked  our  suppers,  and  ate  them  in  peace,  yet  all  that  night,  when 
awake,  I  could  hear  the  fierce  barks  of  coyotes  on  the  sides  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  the  solemn  hoots  of  owls,  or  the  shrill  screams  of  eagles,  and 
I  wondered  if  Fremont's  men  were  engaged  signaling  to  their  leader  our 
position  and  numbers,  or  if  the  noises  were  natural  ones. 

At  daylight  we  were  under  way  again,  and  in  the  advance.  We  saw  no 
sign  of  scouts,  and  not  a  shot  was  fired  all  day.  The  artillery  was  dragged 
over  some  rough  places,  and  finally  placed  in  position  just  at  sundown,  and 
the  men  cooked  their  suppers  within  sight  of  Fremont's  camp-fires,  and 
looked  glum  as  they  thought  of  the  next  day. 

"Lewey,"  I  said,  after  we  had  eaten  a  portion  of  Captain  Fernando's  ra- 
tions, and  lighted  our  pipes,  "  let  us  give  the  young  fellow  a  lift,  and  a  rep- 
utation for  dash  and  courage." 

"How?"  the  French  lad  asked.     "  I  is  reddyfor  anydin'." 
"You  know  as  well  as  T  do,"  I  continued,  "that  Fremont  and  his  men 
are  not  in  their  camp  at  the  present  time.     Their  fires  are  burning  but  they 
have  gone  toward  San  Francisco,  and  will  travel  all  night,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing pursuit  will  be  useless  on  the  part  of  the  Mexicans." 
"  Veil,  votof  dat?" 

"  Only  this.  Suppose  we  pursuade  Captain  Fernando  to  lead  a  charge 
at  daybreak.  He  will  dash  toward  the  deserted  camp,  capture  it,  and  his 
name  will  be  mentioned  for  gallantry,  and  then  promotion  is  sure." 

"  I  do  it,"  my  friend  exclaimed,  and  the  next  moment  he  was  deeply  en- 
gaged in  an  earnest  conversation  with  the  young  captain,  and  the  result 
was  a  hasty  visit  to  the  headquarters  of  General  Castro,  and  when  the  offi- 
cer returned  he  said  that  his  request  had  been  granted,  and  wanted  to 
know  if  we  would  accompany  him  in  the  charge,  and  as  there  was  no  dan- 
ger we  agreed  to  do  so. 

The  men  were  informed  of  theii  honorable  position,  but  did  not  seem 
particularly  pleased  at  the  prospect  before  them.  There  was  no  retreat 


328  Lewey  and  L 


however,  and  just  as  the  sky  showed  signs  of  light  in  the  morning  the  dis- 
mounted cavalry  was  formed  in  line,  a  few  hasty  orders  issued,  and  then 
came  the  word,  — 

"  Adelante,"  or  "  forward." 

We  dashed  over  rocks  and  fallen  trees,  not  a  shot  being  fired,  and  with  a 
cheer  charged  over  tfre  abatis,  and  the  camp  was  in  possession  of  the  Mexi- 
cans. Not  a  single  defender  was  in  sight.  All  had  vanished  during  the 
night,  and  left  their  fires  burning,  the  embers  still  smoking.  All  the  prop- 
erty had  been  removed  except  some  old  saddles  and  blankets  not  worth 
taking  away.  But  the  stronghold  was  captured,  and  Fremont  had  retreated. 
That  was  glory  enough,  and  for  a  while  the  air  was  vocal  with  cheers  and 
congratulations.  Captain  Fernando  shook  hands  with  us,  and  declared  that 
his  fortune  was  now  made. 

The  cheers  reassured  General  Castro.  Up  the  mountain  side  he  came 
on  the  run,  his  horse  jumping  over  trees  and  stones,  and  when  he  was  ^iih- 
in  the  circle  of  the  camp,  and  saw  that  the  victory  was  complete,  his  joy 
knew  no  bounds. 

"  Glory  to  the  saints,"  he  cried.  "  Long  live  Mexico  and  the  republic. 
The  victory  is  ours.  Give  me  a  piece  of  paper." 

Captain  Fernando  handed  the  governor  a  slip  of  paper,  and  then  the  gen- 
eral wrote  a  despatch  for  the  people  of  Monterey.  Instead  of  ink  he  used 
gunpowder,  dissolved  in  a  little  water. 

"  On  the  field  of  battle,"  he  wrote,  "  I  pen  this  despatch.  Our  troops 
have  achieved  a  great  victory.  The  daring  robber  and  his  men  have  been 
driven  at  every  point,  and  are  in  rapid  flight.  I  shall  pursue,  and  not  leave 
a  man  alive  to  pollute  our  soil.  To  the  saints  belong  the  glory  of  this  great 
triumph.  I  shall  send  all  the  spoil  captured  to  Monterey.  Let  the  bells 
ring,  and  the  people  rejoice.  I  proclaim  a  day  of  feasting  for  this 
success." 

"  Colonel,"  the  governor  said,  turning  to  our  young  friend. 

"  Captain,  your  excellency,"  young  Fernando  responded,  in  a  modest 
tone. 

"  No,  sir,  colonel,  from  this  time  forth.  You  have  won  the  title,  and 
shall  wear  it.  For  your  bravery  on  this  trying  occasion  take  this  despatch 
to  Monterey,  and  lose  not  a  moment.  I  will  push  on,  and  overtake  the 
robbers." 

It  was  with  much  difficulty  that  Lewey  could  prevent  a  shout  of  laughter 
escaping  from  his  throat,  and  thus  incurring  the  deadly  enmity  of  the  gov- 
ernor. He  gave  me  a  look,  but  did  not  dare  glance  at  the  newly-made 


Lewey  and  L  329 


colonel.  The  effort  would  have  been  too  much  for  both  of  them.  Fernando 
had  won  promotion  and  renown  by  our  advice,  and  I  hoped  would  prove 
grateful. 

"  General,"  said  the  young  colonel,  "  I  will  hasten  to  the  town,  and  carry 
the  glad  news,  and  if  you  have  no  objections  these  two  young  men  shall  ac- 
company me." 

"  Take  them  if  you  wish.  They  have  behaved  as  gallantly  as  Mexican 
soldiers,  and  I  should  like  to  promote  them  if  they  were  in  the  army." 

We  were  not  sorry  to  leave  the  general  and  his  enthusiastic  followers. 
Descending  the  mountain  we  found  our  horses,  mounted,  and  galloped  to- 
ward Monterey,  where  the  good  news  was  received  with  shouts  of  rejoicing. 
The  alcalda  called  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  and  it  was  resolved  to  en- 
tertain the  governor  when  he  returned  with  a  bull  and  bear  fight,  such  as 
had  never  been  witnessed  in  the  village.  The  programme  was  carried  out 
to  the  letter,  for  in  a  few  days  the  troops  made  a  triumphant  entrance,  Fre- 
mont having  escaped  all  pursuit,  as  we  knew  he  would. 

First  came  General  Castro  and  his  staff,  then  the  trumpeters,  and  following 
them  were  two  pack-horses  with  the  captured  materials,  consisting  of  old 
saddles  and  cloths,  and  a  blouse  which  some  one  had  forgotten.  As  it  had 
United  States  buttons  the  soldiers  swore  that  it  was  Fremont's  uniform, 
and  for  several  weeks  it  was  on  exhibition  at  the  government  house,  among 
the  trophies,  and  created  the  wildest  enthusiasm.  A  Te  Deum  was  cele- 
brated in  the  church,  and  the  bull-fight  was  a  great  success,  only  one  Indi- 
an being  killed,  and  four  horses  injured. 

Colonel  Fernando  assumed  the  duties  of  his  high  position,  and  drilled 
his  men  until  they  were  very  proficient  in  their  evolutions.  He  and  his  sis- 
ter were  so  grateful  to  Lewey  and  myself  that  we  were  invited  to  continue 
to  make  Donna  Costello's  house  our  home,  as  a  protection  to  her  and  the 
child.  We  accepted,  after  some  faint  urging,  and  then  turned  our  attention 
to  fishing  in  the  bay,  for  the  sake  of  passing  away  the  time,  and  making  a 
little  money.  We  were  free  to  do  as  we  pleased,  and  could  have  gone  to 
Ranche  Refugio  at  any  moment,  had  it  not  been  so  dangerous  to  travel  by 
land,  the  whole  country  being  infested  with  ladrones  and  wandering  bands 
of  rancheros,  determined  to  steal,  and  kill  all  who  opposed  them.  So  we 
waited  until  a  cavalry  escort  was  ready,  and  in  the  meantime  built  a  red- 
cedar  flat-boat,  large  enough  to  hold  four  or  five  persons,  and  several  hun- 
dred-weight of  fish.  In  this  we  went  to  the  Point  of  Pines  every  morning, 
caught  all  that  we  could  before  dinner,  and  sold  what  we  did  not  give  away. 
Our  expenses  were  light,  for  Donna  Costello  would  not  accept  any  remu- 


330  Lewey  and  I. 


neration  for  board,  so  we  kept  her  table  supplied  with  fish,  and  such  friends 
as  she  designated.  We  were  thus  enabled  to  save  a  few  dollars  each  week, 
and  were  very  pleasantly  situated.  My  evenings  I  devoted  to  teaching  the 
pretty  little  wife  English,  and  while  she  did  not  make  much  progress,  the 
gratitude  she  expressed  was  more  than  enough  to  recompense  me  for  my 
trouble. 

One  morning,  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1846,  we  were  fishing  off  the 
Point  of  Pines,  anchored  near  the  black  rocks,  in  a  dense  fog,  with  a  light 
southerly  breeze.  The  sport  was  good,  and  we  were  rapidly  completing  our 
fare,  when  suddenly  we  heard  the  flapping  of  sails,  and  rattling  of  blocks, 
and  then  the  shrill  notes  of  a  boatswain's  whistle,  at  the  same  time  the  mo- 
notonous tones  of  a  leadsman,  as  he  chanted,  — 

"  By  the  deep  nine,"  showing  the  ship  was  in  nine  fathoms  of  water. 

"  By  gar,"  said  Lewey,  "  von  man-of-war  near  us.  Hear  dat  quartermas- 
ter in  de  chains  takin'  de  soundin's." 

"  By  the  mark  eight,"  we  heard  from  the  ship,  and  we  supposed  she  was 
feeling  her  way  into  port,  but  was  too  near  the  rocks,  we  judged,  to  be  safe 
and  prudent,  if  she  would  escape  disaster,  as  there  was  a  sunken  ledge  that 
run  some  distance  from  the  shore.  The  fog  was  so  thick  we  could  not  see 
the  vessel,  but  we  imagined  her  to  be  a  man-of-war  by  the  sound  of  the 
pipes  of  the  boatswain's  mates,  and  the  regular  chants  of  the  leadsmen, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  craft,  calling  the  depth  of  water  every  half 
minute. 

"  Ship  ahoy,"  I  hailed. 

"  Well,  what  is  it  ? "  responded  a  stern  voice  from  the  unknown  vessel. 

"  Better  starboard  your  helm  a  little,  and  keep  off  a  point  or  two.  You 
are  near  a  reef." 

We  heard  the  order  given  to  starboard,  for  the  sailing-master  must  have 
known  that  the  advice  was  good,  and  then  we  were  hailed  in  return. 

"  Boat  ahoy,"  came  in  ringing  tones  from  the  ship,  as  she  fanned  her  way 
along,  under  the  light  breeze,  just  enough  for  steerage  way. 

"  Well,"  was  our  answer. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  was  demanded  from  the  ship. 

"  Fishermen  of  Monterey,"  and  Lewey  grinned  as  I  answered. 

"  Please  come  alongside,"  was  the  next  command. 

"  Thank  you,"  I  replied,  "  we  are  very  comfortable  where  we  are." 

"  If  you  do  not  drop  alongside  we  will  send  a  shot  in  your  direction,"  was 
the  next  threat. 

"  And  waste  your  powder  and    lead.     You  could  not  hit  a  barn-door  in 


Lewey  and  I.  331 


this  fog,"  and  then  the  French  boy  laughed  so  heartily  that  he  fell  on  the 
bottom  of  the  boat,  and  nearly  crushed  the  life  out  of  our  dog,  who  uttered 
a  yelp,  and  then  barked  defiance  at  the  strangers. 

"  Marine,  give  those  impudent  fellows  a  shot  from  the  starboard  gang- 
way," we  heard  some  one  from  the  quarter  deck  exclaim,  and,  hang  me,  if 
the  man  did  n't  think  the  order  was  a  serious  one,  for  the  report  of  a  mus- 
ket was  heard,  and  a  ball  struck  the  water  not  more  than  three  fathoms  from 
our  boat,  and  Lewey  uttered  a  yell  as  though  he  had  been  hit,  and  groaned 
in  the  most  pitiful  manner,  while  Jack  howled  in  sympathy. 

"  Boat  ahoy,"  cried  some  officer  from  the  ship-of-war. 

"  We  have  n't  life  enough  left  to  answer  you,"  I  replied. 

"Are  you  badly  hurt,  poor  fellows  ?  "  and  there  was  a  tone  of  pity  in  the 
officer's  voice,  at  the  same  time  we  heard  a  cutter  lowered  by  the  run. 

"Hurt  ?  ';  echoed  Lewey.  "  Ve  tells  you  dat  you  could  not  hitde  side  of 
de  barn  of  de  door,  and  now  ve  knows  it." 

"  You  impudent  vagabonds.  If  we  only  lay  hands  on  you  we  will  show 
what  we  can  do,"  came  in  threatening  tones  across  the  water,  and  I  had  no 
doubt  the  speaker  was  sincere  in  what  he  said. 

"  Keep  quiet,"  I  whispered  to  Lewey.  "One  of  the  cutters  is  in  the  water, 
and  pulling  in  search  of  us." 

We  jumped  to  our  anchor,  and  run  it  up,  but  just  at  that  moment  Jack 
commenced  barking,  and  before  we  could  quiet  him  our  position  was  re- 
vealed. A  boat  dashed  alongside,  a  midshipman  and  ten  men  looked  us  all 
over,  and  appeared  much  astonished  at  what  they  saw. 

"  Who  in  the  devil's  name  are  you  ?  "  the  officer  asked. 

"  No  entender,"  we  answered  in  Spanish,  meaning  that  we  did  not  under- 
stand him. 

"Oh,  belay  all  that,"  was  the  midshipman's  comment,  "You  are  no 
Mexicans,  I  know." 

"  Parlez  vous  Francais  ?  "  asked  Lewey,  with  an  innocent  smile. 

"  I  '11  break  your  heads  with  a  stretcher,  if  you  don't  stow  all  that,"  was 
the  next  threat,  and  then  I  looked  at  the  young  officer  a  second  time,  and 
saw  that  he  was  an  old  schoolmate,  the  same  one  I  had  met  when  he  was 
attached  to  the  Ceynne,  and  on  the  coast  years  before. 

"  Why,  Bob,  old  fellow,  how  goes  it  ? "  I  asked,  as  I  recognized  the 
midshipman,  now  grown  to  be  a  manly  youngster,  with  a  little  down  on  his 
upper  lip  and  chin. 

He  stared  in  amazement  at  my  impertinence,  and  the  next  instant  we 
were  shaking  hands,  like  good  friends  as  we  were. 


332  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Why,  Thorn,  old  boy,  who  in  the  deuse  would  have  thought  of  seeing 
you  here  ? "  he  demanded.  "  So  you  are  the  one  who  has  been  playing 
pranks  on  the  old  frigate  Cumberland  and  Commodore  Sloat  ?  Won't  he 
dress  you  down  when  he  sees  you  ?  Oh,  no,  I  guess  not." 

"  Let  us  slip  out  of  this,  Bob  ?  "  I  pleaded. 

"  Can't  do  it.  You  must  go  on  board  and  face  the  music.  Out  with  the 
oars,  men,  and  take  the  boat  in  tow.  Well,  well,  to  think  we  should  meet 
here,  in  this  dense  fog,  is  one  of  the  marvels  of  the  age." 

"  Bob,"  I  asked,  "  are  you  very  anxious  for  the  safety  of  your  sturdy 
ship?" 

"Yes,  she  is  a  staunch  old  craft,  my  home,  and  I  love  her  like  a 
mother." 

"  Then  you  had  better  hail,  and  tell  the  skipper  to  come  to  anchor,  or  he 
will  be  in  trouble  with  this  flood  tide  and  light  wind." 

The  midshipman  looked  horrified  at  the  idea  of  my  calling  his  captain 
a  "  skipper,"  but  he  waited  until  the  leadsman  called  out,  — 

"  Quarter  less  seven,  and  then  hailed,  — 

"Cumberland  ahoy." 

"  Cutter  ahoy,"  came  back  in  ringing  tones  from  the  frigate. 

"  The  fishermen  are  Americans,  and  recommend  that  you  anchor  until 
the  fog  clears  up.  They  know  the  harbor  well,  and  think  the  tide  is  setting 
the  ship  too* far  in  shore,  and  it  is  not  safe  to  find  the  anchorage  until  the 
weather  is  clear." 

"  Ay,  ay.  Bring  the  fellows  on  board,  and  let  us  have  a  look  at  them," 
came  from  the  frigate. 

"  Fellers,"  muttered  Lewey.  "  Your  skipper  has  de  politeness  not  much. 
Ve  is  gentlemen  of  de  leisure,  and  fish  for  de  fun  of  de  ding,  and  vot  plata 
ve  gits." 

There  was  the  piping  of  boatswains'  whistles,  — it  was  clew  up  and  clew 
down,  —  and  then  a  stern  voice  called  out,  — 

"  Stand  by  the  anchor." 

"  Put  your  helm  hard  to  larboard,"  was  the  next  command.  (If  nautical 
men  are  inclined  to  find  fault  with  the  term  "larboard,"  they  will  please  to 
recollect  that  the  word  "  port  "  was  not  officially  introduced  into  the  navy 
until  Bancroft  was  secretary,  when  it  was  used  to  prevent  confusion.  This 
was  about  1847,  when  Polk  was  president  of  the  United  States.) 

"  Let  go  the  anchor,"  was  the  next  order,  and  the  huge  piece  of  iron 
plunged  to  the  bottom,  and  the  chain  rattled  out,  and  the  people  on  shore 
knew  that  a  ship  had  arrived  near  the  town,  while  Mr,  Larkin  sat  on  his 


Lewey  and  L  333 


veranda,  and  wondered  if  the  naval  vessels  had  come  at  last,  and  if  it  was 
his  turn  to  laugh  and  become  defiant  r 

"  For  gracious  sake,  Thorn,''  cried  the  midshipman,  "  what  prompted  you 
to  remain  in  this  country  ?  " 

He  asked  the  question  while  the  cutter  was  towing  our  boat  alongside, 
and  after  the  frigate  had  anchored. 

"  Well,  you  see  my  French  friend  here  and  myself  thought  of  marrying 
and  settling  down,"  and  of  course  the  midshipman  had  to  laugh,  as  a  mat- 
ter of  course,  and  the  man-of-war's  men  all  grinned,  as  though  I  had  uttered 
a  joke. 

"  You  always  was  singular  in  your  tastes,"  the  midshipman  muttered, 
"  nnd  I  suppose  you  desired  to  be  plural  in  your  habits,"  but  that  remark 
was  so  profound  no  one  smiled,  as  it  was  not  understood,  consequently  my 
friend,  Mr.  Bob,  hurled  an  adjective  at  the  head  of  the  midship  oarsman, 
;md  told  him  to  keep  stroke,  and  mind  his  eye. 

The  huge  proportions  of  the  frigate  loomed  up  through  the  fog,  and,  as 
\ve  shot  alongside,  I  saw  that  she  carried  two  tiers  of  guns,  in  all  about 
sixty,  some  of  them  very  heavy  ones  for  those  days,  and  her  complement  of 
men  was  six  hundred,  as  the  middy  informed  us. 

"  Now  your  fun  commences,"  whispered  the  officer.  "  Commodore  Sloat 
will  give  you  a  dose  of  peppery  remarks,  you  see  if  he  does  not.  Keep 
cool,  and  be  civil.  A  commodore  is  a  great  man  in  these  waters,  although 
he  does  not  amount  to  much  at  home.  Here  we  go.  In  bow.  Way 
enough."  • 

We  slipped  alongside,  and  many  wondering  eyes  were  on  us  as  Lewey 
and  I  passed  over  the  steps,  the  French  lad  with  an  expression  on  his  face 
that  seemed  to  say,  "  I  ennui  with  all  this  attention,  good  people." 

"  Pass  aft.  The  commodore  desires  to  see  you,"  a  midshipman  said,  and 
then  Satan  seemed  to  possess  that  friend  of  mine,  for  he  ran  back  to  the 
gangway,  looked  down  at  our  boat,  and  yelled  out  to  the  midshipman  who 
had  brought  us  on  board,  — 

"  De  poisson  !  Do  not  if  you  please  de  men  let  steal  him.  Ve  vork  hard 
to  catch, .and  no  afford  to  lose.  Ve  sell  all  for  four  cents  de  pound,  cash, 
and  no  trust,  vid  de  big  von  for  de  commodore  at  half  price,  for  trade  allow- 
in'  us  to  do." 

There  was  horror  depicted  on  the  faces  of  the  officers  of  the  quarterdeck, 
and  I  feared  that  my  French  friend  would  be  put  under  arrest,  and  fed  on 
bread  and  water  for  a  week.  But  he  looked  so  simple  and  innocent,  just  as 
though  he  had  no  idea  of  offending,  and  cared  for  no  one,  that  he  was  only 


334  Lewey  and  I. 


pulled  away  from  the  rail  by  gentle  pressure,  and  told  in  a  hoarse  whisper 
to  stop  his  noise,  and  go  aft. 

"  Ah,  cap'en,"  the  enthusiastic  French  lad  cried  to  a  third  lieutenant, 
who  blushed  at  being  so  saluted,  "  you  vill  our  fish  vatch  ober  for  us,  and 
if  you  sell  him  you  vill  de  moneys  all  gib  to  me,  and  I  skall  be  so  much 
obliged  as  eber  vas,  for  I  is  a  poor  boy,  and  far  avay  from  mine  native 
land." 

"  Will  you  go  aft,  you  blanked  fool  ?  "  whispered  one  of  the  lieutenants, 
"  and  if  you  do  not  stop  talking  until  you  are  spoken  to  we  '11  pitch  you 
overboard  with  a  round  shot  tied  to  your  feet." 

"  Qu'est  ce  que  vous  voulez  ?  "  demanded  the  unblushing  Lewey,  but  the 
lieutenant  only  shook  his  head,  and  pushed  the  French  lad  toward  the 
commodore,  who  was  all  swelled  up  with  offended  dignity,  having  been 
kept  waiting  two  or  three  minutes,  owing  to  Lewey's  desire  for  fun  and 
frolic  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States  naval  officers. 

"  Take  off  your  hats,"  some  one  whispered,  but  my  friend  pretended  not 
to  hear,  so  his  sombrero  was  removed  from  his  head  by  an  officer,  and  just 
as  the  commodore  was  about  to  open  his  mouth  that  wild  boy  went  off  on 
another  tack. 

"  O  capitan,"  he  cried,  "  mine  dog  in  de  boat  is.  Vill  you  tells  de  mens 
not  to  steal  him,  as  much  value  he  is." 

"  Well,  I  'm  blanked,"  muttered  the  commodore.  "  Who  in  the  devil's 
name  are  you?  and  where  do  you  come  from?" 

"  Me  poor  French  boy,"  was  the  reply.  "  Me  leaves  home  for  de  fortune 
to  seek.  Speak  you  de  booful  French,  capitan  ?  " 

There  was  a  negative  shake  of  the  head  from  the  commodore. 

"  Ah,  you  like  him  so  much.     Skall  I  speak  some  for  you  ?  " 

"Take  this  parrot  away,"  roared  the  commodore.  ;' He  will  drive  me 
crazy  with  his  lingo.  Come  here,  you  other  boy.  Let  me  see  if  you  can 
answer  questions  in  a  ship-shape  manner." 

I  stood  before  the  commodore,  not  in  awe,  for  I  had  seen  bigger  men, 
but  determined  to  no  longer  provoke  the  officer,  for  his  patience  had  been 
already  tried  quite  severely. 

"  Who  are  you,  sir  ?  "  asked  the  autocrat  of  the  quarter-deck. 

"  I  am  an  American,  and  at  present  a  fisherman  of  Monterey,  sir." 

"  That  is  to  say  a  beach-comber,"  was  the  retort. 

"  I  did  not  state  so,  sir,  and  fear  that  I  am  not  up  to  the  standard  of  a 
person  who  passes  his  time  on  the  beach,  in  search  of  a  ship  and  a  job,  and 
hopes  never  to  find  either,"  I  said. 


Lewey  and  I.  335 


"  Well  how  came  you  here,  if  you  are  an  American?"  demanded  the 
commodore. 

"  I  was  honorably  discharged  from  my  ship,  and  expected  to  marry  and 
grow  up  with  the  country,"  was  my  candid  answer. 

Of  course  I  knew  that  all  the  officers  would  laugh.  They  saw  the  com- 
modore smile,  and  followed  suit.  It  was  the  usual  custom. 

"  You  are  a  fool,"  were  the  next  blunt  words,  just  because  I  had  stated 
my  intention  of  being  married. 

"  Perhaps  I  am,  sir,  but  a  fool  would  not  have  asked  you  to  anchor  when 
you  had  six  fathoms  of  water  under  your  bows,  and  shoaling  every  moment, 
with  a  dense  fog  all  around  you." 

"  Are  you  the  one  who  hailed  the  frigate  for  that  purpose  ? "  growled  the 
commodore. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Why  did  you  insult  us  and  provoke  a  shot  ?  " 

"  My  French  friend  is  a  little  loco,  and  not  responsible  for  his  words. 
He  does  not  know  what  he  is  doing  half  the  time." 

"  Blank  me  if  I  did  n't  think  so,"  was  the  exclamation.  "  I  can  always 
tell  a  crazy  man.  He  is  as  mad  as  a  march  hare,"  and  the  officers  nodded 
confirmation  of  the  words. 

"  Now,"  said  the  commodore,  and  he  looked  profound  and  serious,  "  what 
do  you  know  of  affairs  on  shore  ?  In  what  part  of  the  country  is  Captain 
Fremont  ?  " 

"  He  was  near  Monterey  a  few  weeks  since,  but  left  for  San  Francisco 
when  he  found  that  an  attack  was  to  be  made  on  his  position,  which  he  was 
not  strong  enough  to  resist." 

"  What  is  the  force  of  the  Mexicans  on  shore  ?  " 

"  That  is  something  I  cannot  answer  you,  commodore.  We  are  neutrals, 
and  must  remain  such,  or  violate  an  oath." 

"  Nonsense.  I  will  give  both  of  you  positions  on  the  ship,  so  there  is  no 
danger.  Tell  all  you  know.  How  many  guns  does  the  presidio  com- 
mand ? " 

"  Not  many,  but  you  will  have  to  find  out  by  an  attack.  General  Castro 
and  the  American  consul  have  been  expecting  you  for  weeks,  and  perhaps 
are  prepared  for  your  reception." 

"Can  you  take  a  note  on  shore  for  Mr.  Larkin  from  me?"  the  officer 
asked. 

"  Yes,  sir,  but  it  would  not  be  prudent  on  our  part.  We  should  lose  the 
number  of  our  mess  if  we  did  so." 


336  Lewey  and  I. 


"  My  guns  can  protect  you,"  was  the  assured  statement. 

"  They  could  not  keep  the  point  of  a  sharp  knife  out  of  our  ribs  the  first 
dark  night,"  I  answered. 

"  Perhaps  not,  but  we  could  avenge  your  deaths." 

"  That  would  do  us  no  good.     We  prefer  life  to  revenge,  sir." 

"  May  be  you  are  right,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  an  American  should  aid 
his  country  in  every  way  possible." 

"  What  aid  can  a  boy  afford  to  a  large  frigate  like  this,  full  of  men,  and 
capable  of  reducing  every  fort  on  the  coast?  No,  sir,  we  have  promised  to 
remain  neutral,  and  we  desire  to  keep-  our  words.  Even  now,  if  it  was 
known  we  had  boarded  your  vessel,  we  should  be  looked  upon  as  sospecho- 
sos,  and  treated  badly.  Let  us  go  on  shore,  please,  before  the  fog  lifts,  so 
we  shall  be  safe  and  undiscovered." 

"  You  can  go,"  the  officer  said,  and  waved  his  hand.  "  But  if  Mr.  Larkin 
should  learn  the  Cumberland  is  near  we  should  not  feel  ungrateful.  Do 
you  understand  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.  He  will  hear  of  the  event,  it  is  quite  probable,  before  sun- 
set," and  touching  my  hat  I  left  the  quarter-deck,  and  joined  Lewey. 

The  French  lad  had  negotiated  the  sale  of  all  of  our  fish  to  the  purser  for 
the  ward-room  officers,  and  received  four  dollars  for  the  catch.  We  took 
the  bearings  by  the  compass,  entered  our  boat,  and  pushed  off  for  the 
Point  of  Pines,  and  guided  by  the  roaring  of  the  surf  made  our  way  to  the 
usual  landing.  As  we  hauled  up  our  boat  we  saw  Mr.  Larkin  sitting  on  a 
rock,  near  the  gully  by  the  presidio,  and  apparently  quite  content  to  wait 
until  the  fog  had  lifted  and  revealed  the  beauties  of  the  bay. 

"  Well,  boys,  what  luck  ?  "  he  asked,  as  he  came  toward  us  and  looked 
into  the  empty  boat. 

"  Not  much  today,  sir.     The  fish  did  not  bite  very  lively,"  we  answered. 

"  Perhaps  the  ship  that  recently  anchored  in  the  bay  scared  them  away," 
the  American  consul  remarked,  as  he  examined  the  boat,  and  saw  the  debris 
of  a  good  catch. 

"  Should  n't  wonder  if  such  was  the  case,  sir,"  and  we  turned  the  boat 
over,  and  washed  all  evidence  of  fish  from  the  bottom  and  thwarts. 

"Look  here,  boys,"  the  consul  said,  in  a  low,  confidential  tone,  so  that 
no  lurking  spy  could  overhear  his  words,  "  what  ship  is  that  which  recently 
anchored  off  the  Point  of  Pines  and  is  still  obscured  by  the  fog  ?  " 

We  glanced  around.  No  one  was1  near  us  except  a  soldier  of  the  presi- 
dio, who  was  on  duty,  and  watching  the  fog  and  our  proceedings  at  the 
same  time. 


Lewey  and  I,  337 


"  It  is  the  frigate  Cumberland,  sir,  Commodore  Sloat." 

"  And  you  have  been  on  board  of  her  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.  We  were  requested  to  do  so,  and  the  polite  command  was 
backed  by  a  cutter  and  eleven  men." 

"  And  von  musket  shot  dat  came  near  us,"  interrupted  the  irrepressible 
Lewey. 

"  Under  the  circumstances  we  went  on  board,"  I  continued. 

"  And  ve  sells  all  our  fish  for  four  dollar,"  my  friend  remarked. 

"  A  good  price,"  Mr.  Larkin  said.  "  I  am  glad  that  you  did  so  well.  Now 
tell  me,  lads,  did  you  not  bring  on  shore  a  letter  from  the  commodore  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  we  did  not  dare  to,  for  fear  of  suspicion.  But  you  will  hear 
from  the  ship  in  the  morning,  or  as  soon  as  the  fog  lifts." 

"  It  is  quite  probable,"  was  the  short  answer,  and  Mr.  Larkin  walked  to- 
ward his  house,  near  the  plaza,  and  once  more  took  his  accustomed  seat  on 
the  veranda,  and  looked  off  toward  the  bay  and  the  fog,  and  even  hummed 
a  tune  of  a  light  and  jolly  character,  when  no  one  was  near  him. 

The  sentinel  shouldered  his  gun,  and  resumed  his  monotonous  rounds, 
as  the  consul  disappeared,  and  two  Mexicans  came  out  from  a  little  sand 
cave  near  the  beach,  and  moved  toward  the  custom  house,  on  the  rocky 
bluff.  They  had  seen  no  exchange  of  packages,  and  therefore  were  a  little 
disappoiated.  We  had  noticed  the  men  when  we  landed,  and  knew  they 
were  spying  on  our  actions,  but  they  did  not  make  much  by  the  operation. 

We  had  no  fish  for  our  regular  customers  that  day,  and  some  of  them 
were  a  little  disappointed,  as  it  was  the  Lenten  season,  and  meat  was  for- 
bidden by  the  priests  for  the  time  being.  We  pleaded  that  the  finny 
tribe  were  driven  off  by  the  fog  and  a  shark,  and  the  answer  satisfied  them. 
However,  we  promised  an  abundance  for  the  next  day. 

When  we  reached  our  home  for  the  time  being,  and  inquired  of  Donna 
Costello  the  whereabouts  of  her  brother,  the  colonel,  we  regretted  to  learn 
that  he  had  ridden  over  to  Santa  Cruz  to  review  some  cavalry,  and  would 
not  be  back  until  the  next  day.  We  wanted  to  do  the  officer  a  good  turn, 
get  him  out  of  harm's  way,  and  perhaps  capture,  for  we  knew  the  town 
would  have  to  surrender  as  soon  as  the  Cumberland  anchored  near  the 
presidio,  and  brought  her  guns  to  bear  on  the  place.  There  was  no  force 
to  stand  before  the  ship,  as  the  cannon  of  the  fort  did  not  amount  to  much, 
except  in  the  way  of  ornament.  But  one  thing  remained  for  us  to  do  if  we 
would  repay  all  the  colonel's  acts  of  kindness,  and  that  was  to  give  him 
warning  at  once  to  keep  away  from  Monterey,  or  move  his  men  out  of 
harm's  way. 


338  Lewey  and  I. 


We  had  not  ridden  our  mustangs  for  several  days.  They  were  in  the 
corral,  and  impatient  for  a  run.  Telling  the  pretty  little  wife  we  were  going 
for  a  gallop  along  the  beach,  and  should  not  return  until  late  at  night,  we 
saddled  our  horses,  slung  our  rifles  over  our  shoulders,  and  started  for 
Santa  Cruz. 

As  we  struck  the  hard,  white  sand  the  tide  was  fast  ebbing,  and  there 
was  a  clear  course  after  passing  the  remnants  of  a  wreck  about  a  mile  from 
the  custom  house.  We  halted  for  a  moment  near  the  landing,  and  looked 
off  upon  the  water,  still  covered  with  a  dense  fog.  There  was  no  sign  of 
the  Cumberland,  and  not  even  the  creaking  of  blocks  or  spars,  or  the  pipes 
of  the  boatswain's  whistles  were  heard.  All  was  silent,  and  no  one  would  - 
have  suspected  that  a  ship  with  six  hundred  men  was  so  near  us.  This 
quietness  was  maintained  through  the  strict  discipline  of  the  crew.  The 
order  had  passed  for  repose,  and  it  was  obeyed  to  the  letter.  Even  the 
sails  were  not  furled,  as  they  might  be  needed  as  soon  as  a  little  air  should 
come  along,  and  blow  the  fog  away.  A  surprise  was  intended  for  General 
Castro  and  his  troops,  and  it  would  have  been  successful  had  we  not  fa- 
vored a  friend,  and  the  latter  saved  his  countrymen  from  shot  and  shell,  and 
a  surrender. 

"  Alons,"  said  Lewey,  and  just  as  we  were  ready  to  start  our  horses  into 
a  long  and  untiring  lope  four  cavalrymen  broke  through  the  fog,  and  rode 
toward  us,  lariats  in  their  hands. 

"  Parada,"  they  said,  and  we  halted  on  the  instant,  for  we  had  no  occasion 
to  run  away,  and  there  was  no  show  for  us  with  those  reatas  ready  to  be 
thrown  with  deadly  precision. 

"  What  is  wanted,  amigos  ? "  we  asked  as  the  men  came  toward  us  and 
looked  us  over. 

"  The  general  is  anxious  to  know^where  you  are  going,"  one  of  th'e  men 
said.  "  He  noticed  today  you  caught  no  fish,  that  you  had  a  long  conversa- 
tion on  the  beach  with  Mr.  Larkin,  and  he  does  not  understand  your  move- 
ments. He  dislikes  to  think  that  you  are  sospechosos,  for  he  has  a  high 
opinion  of  your  good  qualities  and  bravery.  But  these  are  troublesome 
times,  and  we  must  be  guarded." 

"  Tell  the  general  —  and  may  he  live  a  thousand  years,  and  enjoy  the  best 
of  health  —  that  we  are  taking  a  ride  to  Santa  Cruz,  just  to  see  our  friend 
Colonel  Fernando,  and  to  exercise  our  horses." 

"You  are  sure,  amigos?"  asked  the  non-commissioned  officer  of  the 
squad. 

"  Quite  sure,  comrade,"  was  our  positive  answer. 


Lewey  and  I.  339 


"  Then  you  will  have  no  objections  to  company,  O  friends  of  my  child- 
hood, and  bravest  of  marineros  ? "  the  officer  asked. 

"No;  will  you  and  your  associates  go  with  us?"  we  demanded,  and 
we  knew  they  would  at  any  rate,  as  they  had  been  sent  to  watch  our  move- 
ments, and  spy  out  what  we  intended  to  do. 

"  With  much  pleasure  shall  we  join  you.  We  have  nothing  else  for  duty, 
and  a  long  gallop  will  do  us  good.  Vamos,  senors." 

They  put  up  their  lariats,  coiling  them  on  the  pommels  of  their  saddles, 
and  away  we  went  over  the  hard  sand  as  fast  as  we  dared  to  in  the  fog,  al- 
though it  was  not  so  dense  at  the  edge  of  the  water  as  in  the  bay. 

Our  horses  were  so  much  superior  to  the  cavalrymen's  that  we  could 
have  run  away  from  them,  but  did  not  care  to  do  so.  We  had  no  desire  to 
pass  as  sospechosos,  for  our  lives  might  have  been  endangered,  and  we  had 
no  place  to  fly  to  where  we  would  have  been  safe,  just  at  that  time.  So  we 
did  not  hurry  the  pace,  and  therefore  were  two  hours  in  reaching  Santa 
Cruz.  As  we  passed  the  old  mission  I  saw  my  friend  the  padre,  and 
stopped  to  exchange  a  few  words  with  him  and  the  'housekeeper,  the  latter 
giving  me  a  grin  of  delight  at  the  meeting. 

The  priest  told  us  where  we  could  find  Colonel  Fernando,  and  on  riding 
to  the  spot  indicated  found  him  inspecting  a  company  of  raw  recruits.  He 
was  much  surprised  to  see  us,  and  also  to  find  that  we  had  an  escort. 

"  Colonel,"  we  said,  "  we  have  ridden  this  way  to  see  you  personally,  but 
these  gentlemen  did  not  believe  us,  so  came  along  to  note  if  we  spoke  the 
truth." 

As  the  men  belonged  to  the  colonel's  regiment  they  did  not  hesitate 
when  he  said  in  a  stern  tone,  — 

"  These  senors  are  my  friends.  I  will  be  responsible  for  them  and  their 
actions. .  Return  immediately  to  Monterey,  and  report  to  General  Castro 
my  words." 

The  soldiers  saluted,  wheeled  their  horses,  and  were  off,  not  even  looking 
back  to  see  if  we  were  noting  their  movements. 

"  Now,  senors,  what  is  the  news?  "  asked  the  colonel.  "  Something  of 
importance  has  happened,  or  you  would  not  seek  me  here.  Is  it  my  wel- 
fare or  that  of  my  sister  which  you  have  at  heart?  " 

"Colonel,"  I  said,  "it  is  for  your  good  that  we  have  come.  But  what  we 
communicate  must  be  a  secret  between  us.  This  you  will  promise  ?  " 

"  Yes,  quite  readily." 

"  Look  off  upon  the  bay,  colonel,  and  you  will  see  a  dense  fog."  ( 

He  glanced  toward  the  ocean,  and  nodded  his  head. 


34O  Lewey  and  I. 

"  Under  that  fog,  colonel,  and  near  the  Point  of  Pines,  is  a  huge  Yankee 
frigate.  As  soon  as  the  mist  rises  she  will  be  in  position  to  threaten  the 
town,  and  compel  its  surrender.  We  want  to  save  you  and  your  dear  sister. 
There  is  no  time  to  lose  if  we  would  do  so." 

'  "  Diablo,  I  should  think  not.  Our  presidio  will  not  stand  a  broadside, 
and  my  regiment  might  be  made  prisoners-of-war ;  and  just  as  I  had  £ot  it  in 
good  order,  and  feel  my  position  and  importance.  Senors,  you  must  return 
with  me  to  Monterey.  My  soldiers  will  march  tonight.  To  you  can  be 
entrusted  the  care  of  Donna  Costello.  Her  husband  does  not  know  enough 
to  have  charge  of  a  pretty  wife  in  such  doubtful  times  as  these.  I  shall  go 
into  camp  near  the  Mission  Carmel.  Your  Yankee  friends  will  not  dare  to 
follow  me  there.  I  only  wish  they  would.  I  'd  cut  them  off  root  and 
branch.  There,  don't  be  angry  at  my  words.  Our  nations  are  at  war  but 
we  are  not.  Let  not  the  sound  of  strife  destroy  our  friendship,"  and  the 
gallant  young  man  held  out  his  hand.  "And  you  came  all  this  distance  to 
give  me  warning,  did  you ?"  the  colonel  asked,  "and  General  Castro  sus- 
pected you  of  some  treasonable  design  ?  He  would  doubt  his  own  mother 
in  war  time.  A  little  impulsive  is  the  general,  but  he  means  well,  and  can 
fight  hard  with  pronunciamentos.  In  fact,  he  can  flog  the  whole  of  your 
nation  with  a  dozen.  But  let  the  horses  have  a  breathing  spell,  and  we  will 
return  to  town." 

We  went  to  .the  mission  and  had  a  bit  of  bread  and  an  olia,  fed  our 
horses  with  a  little  barley  and  at  four  o'clock  were  on  the  road  to  Monte- 
rey, the  good  padre  blessing  us  as  we  rode  away  from  his  house.  I  never 
saw  him  again. 

The  fog  still  hung  about  the  bay,  but  no  sound  was  heard  from  the  frig- 
ate as  we  dashed  along  the  beach.  The  colonel  was  to  go  immediately  to 
headquarters,  and  as  he  turned  to  do  so  I  said  in  a  warning  tone,  — 

"  You  will  not  mention  the  source  of  your  information,  amigo  ?  Remem- 
ber I  am  an  Americano." 

"  Rest  assured  of  me.  I  shall  set  you  right  in  the  general's  estimation. 
He  must  not  remain  under  the  impression  that  you  are  a  sospechoso.  You 
have  been  good  friends  to  me,  and  I  shall  prove  so  to  you." 

We  went  to  our  quarters  prepared  to  pass  an  uneasy  night,  but  did  not 
tell  Donna  Costello  that  a  foe  was  near.  At  nine  o'clock  there  was  a 
movement  of  the  troops,  and  we  saw  the  young  colonel  at  the  head  of  his 
regiment,  marching  out  of  the  town,  without  sound  of  drum  or  trumpets, 
and  with  him  went  General  Castro  and  the  government  officials.  Old  Cook 
rubbed  his  eyes,  and  wondered  what  the  matter  was,  and  Mr.  Larkin  sat  on 


Leivey  and  I.  341 


his  veranda  and  looked  across  the  bay  as  far  as  the  fog  would  permit,  and 
hoped  the  mist  would  rise. 

As  Senor  Costello  went  with  the  governor  the  protection  of  the  wife  and 
child  devolved  upon  us,  and  the  duties  were  willingly  assumed,  for  we  had 
no  doubt  but  that  we  should  look  after  her  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  and 
she  had  implicit  trust  in  our  ability  and  courage  to  defend  her  against  out- 
rage. The  peons  and  Indians  were  more  to  be  dreaded  than  the  Ameri- 
can sailors,  as  we  had  no  doubt  the  captors  of  the  town  would  respect  all 
those  who  did  not  bear  arms,  and  offer  to  fight  for  the  glory  of  Mexico. 

At  ten  o'clock  it  was  known  to  the  worst  class  of  the  community  that 
the  soldiers  and  officials  had  gone,  and  left  the  place  defenceless.  Then 
stores  were  entered,  and  liquor  sought  in  all  directions.  Old  Cook  hastily 
concealed  what  he  had,  and  shut  up  shop.  Mr.  Larkin  disappeared  from 
the  veranda  of  his  house,  and  no  longer  looked  across  the  bay.  Lewey  and 
I  loaded  our  pistols  and  rifles,  and  sat  near  the  door  of  Donna  Costello's 
house,  in  the  dark,  and  heard  the  howls  of  the  drunken  brutes  and  the 
screams  of  women,  and  waited  for  dawn,  but  before  that  came  we  had  to 
shed  blood  to  save  from  outrage  the  pretty  little  wife  who  had  been  left  in 
our  charge,  and  the  life  of  her  only  child,  the  sweetest  boy  in  the  State.  It 
was  the  most  anxious  night  we  had  ever  passed,  and  we  thanked  God  when 
light  came,  and  the  fog  was  gone,  and  out  in  the  harbor  rode  two  large 
frigates  at  anchor,  the  Cumberland  and  Independence,  with  the  American 
flags  at  their  peaks,  and  the  rising  sun  kissing  the  stars  and  stripes  as 
they  floated  in  the  light  northerly  breeze.  And  Mr.  Larkin  once  more  sat 
on  the  veranda  of  his  house  and  looked  across  the  bay,  and  hummed  a  tune 
all  to  himself,  for  no  one  was  near  him  except  an  Indian  woman,  who  had 
the  reputation  of  being  a  drunkard.  But  we  had  to  meet  rough  work  before 
the  sun  rose,  and  the  flags  were  seen  to  gladden  our  hearts  and  grant  us 
safety. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  ATTACK  ON  THE  HOUSE  AND  ITS  REPULSE.  —  EDWARDO  SANCHOS 
MEETS  A  JUST  FATE. — THE  RESCUING  PARTY  FROM  THE  FRIGATE 
CUMBERLAND.  —  A  WINDFALL  OF  GOLD.  -  THE  BREAKFAST.  —  A  PRE- 
DICTION. —  HOISTING  THE  AMERICAN  FLAG  AT  MONTEREY.  —  A  LAST 
VIEW  OF  THE  TOWN. —  ON  THE  MARCH.  —  TERRIBLE  DEATH  OF  TWO 
WOMEN  AND  A  GPEEDY  EXECUTION.  —  A  NIGHT  SCENE  ON  THE  BEACH. 
—  A  SURPRISE,  AND  AN  ESCAPE.  —  STRAY  SHOTS. 

IT  was  fully  ten  o'clock  before  pandemonium  in  its  worst  form  broke  out 
in  the  little  town  of  Monterey.  Then  the  native  rum  began  to  exert  its 
full  force,  and  the  peons  and  half-breed  Mexicans  rushed  through  the 
streets  in  search  of  plunder  and  outrage.  All  of  Donna  Costello's  servants 
had  fled  from  the  premises,  and  no  one  but  Lewey  and  T  were  left  to  pro- 
tect the  house  and  its  precious  inmates.  We  closed  and  barred  the  door, 
put  out  the  lights,  and  sat  near  the  entrance,  with  our  firearms  all  ready  for 
use,  dreading  an  attack,  yet  not  disposed  to  shirk  one  should  an  assault  be 
made.  At  one  time  we  were  inclined  to  put  the  lady  on  a  horse,  and  escape 
to  the  mountains,  but  the  sight  of  the  crowd  of  drunken  wretches,  as  they 
yelled  and  howled  around  us,  showed  that  it  was  not  feasible,  and  we  deter- 
mined to  remain,  and  do  the  best  we  could,  the  little  wife  half  the  time  on 
her  knees  praying  to  the  saints  for  protection,  and  begging  we  would  not 
leave  herself  and  child  to  a  shocking  fate. 

Luckily  the  boy  slept  through  the  tumult,  and  did  not  realize  his  danger, 
while  I  consoled  the  senora  the  best  way  that  I  could,  and  promised  no 
harm  should  come  to  her  if  I  could  prevent  it.  A  dozen  times  did  the  lady 
put  her  arms  around  my  neck  in  the  dark,  when  the  noise  was  the  loudest, 
and  press  her  cheek  to  my  face,  tremble,  and  shed  tears  of  terror,  but  she 
thought  no  more  of  the  act  than  if  I  had  been  her  brother,  and  I  did  not 


Lewey  and  I.  343 


even  strive  to  kiss  away  the  moisture  that  flowed  from  her  dark,  glorious 
eyes.  I  imagined  it  would  be  sacrilege  to  do  aught  but  comfort  her,  and 
hope  for  the  best. 

It  was  near  twelve  o'clock,  we  judged,  when  a  crowd  of  drunken  peons 
stopped  in  front  of  the  house,  shouting  and  yelling,  while  some  of  them  en- 
tered the  patio  in  search  of  plunder.  They  went  through  the  cook-house 
like  a  tornado,  but  found  nothing  of  value,  as  we  had  removed  all  the  prop- 
erty that  was  worth  anything  to  safer  quarters.  The  scoundrels  manifested 
their  displeasure  by  a  series  of  groans,  and  then  some  one,  who  seemed  to 
be  in  authority,  or  the  leader  of  the  gang,  came  to  the  door,  and  pounded 
on  it  in  a  threatening  manner. 

"  Cobardes,  Americanos,"  he  yelled,  "  come  out  of  the  house,  so  that  we 
can  see  your  white  faces,  and  feel  of  your  throats.  We  want  you  for  a  par- 
ticular purpose." 

Jack  uttered  an  angry  growl,  as  though  he  scented  danger,  but  we  quieted 
him  with  a  word,  and  attempted  to  reassure  the  frightened  lady,  who  was  now 
certain  that  outrage  was  near.  We  made  no  reply  to  the  demand,  and  it 
was  repeated  in  more  emphatic  tones,  and  slill  we  remained  silent. 

"  Will  you  show  your  white  faces  ?  "  the  fellow  said,  "  or  must  we  break 
in  the  door  ?  " 

We  hoped  the  gang  would  suppose  we  had  made  our  escape  to  the  moun- 
tains, so  declined  to  answer,  but  the  fellows  evidently  knew  we  were  in  the 
house,  for  the  speaker  again  cried  out,  — 

"  Bring  a  piece  of  timber.  We  will  batter  down  the  door,  and  hang  the 
Americanos,  and  then  do  what  we  please  with  the  woman." 

I  could  feel  Senora  Costello  shudder  at  the  words,  and  she  clung  still 
closer  to  my  neck,  but  I  removed  her  arms,  and  whispered,  — 

"  Go  into  your  room,  and  be  with  the  child.  You  must  not  hamper  me 
with  tears  and  entreaties  just  now.  There  is  to  be  a  struggle,  and  a  deadly 
one,  but  we  hope  it  will  result  in  our  favor.  Be  bold,  and  pray  for  our 
success." 

She  kissed  my  hand,  and  left  me.  Then  we  heard  fresh  shouts  in  the 
patio,  and  knew  that  a  piece  of  timber  had  been  found,  large  enough  to  bat- 
ter down  the  door. 

"  De  Lord  help  de  fust  von  vot  enters  dis  room,"  muttered  Lewey,  and  I 
heard  the  ominous  click  of  the  lock  of  his  rifle,  the  re-arrangement  of  his 
pistols  and  long  knife,  as  though  he  meant  every  shot  to  tell. 

"Will  you  come  out  ?  "  asked  the  leader  of  the  peons,  as  soon  as  he  had 
the  piece  of  timber  all  ready  to  use  as  a  battering-ram. 


344  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Listen  to  us  for  a  moment,"  my  French  friend  said,  in  a  determined 
tone.  "  We  are  well  armed,  and  the  first  one  who  attempts  to  enter  this 
room  will  die  like  a  dog.  Go  away  and  leave  us,  or  the  worse  for  you.  We 
shall  defend  the  premises  with  our  lives." 

"  You  will  find  it  different  here  from  shooting  unarmed  men  on  the  sum- 
mit of  the  Sierra  Santa  Monica,"  the  leader  said,  and  then  we  knew  whom 
we  had  to  deal  with. 

"  It  is  Edwardo  Sanchos,  the  younger  brother  of  Antonio,  and  the  scamp 
who  attempted  to  ambush  us  when  we  crossed  the  mountains,  on  our  jour- 
ney from  Los  Angeles  to  Santa  Barbara,"  I  whispered.  "  You  remember, 
I  hit  him  on  the  hand  or  shoulder  with  a  rifle  bullet,  when  he  was  attempt- 
ing to  throw  his  knife.  Now  he  thinks  his  time  has  come  to  punish  us." 

"  It  has  if  he  crosses  de  threshold  of  de  door,"  Lewey  muttered  in  a  reso- 
lute tone. 

"  Do  you  yield  ? "  asked  Sanchos,  after  a  moment's  cessation  of 
hostilities. 

"  No,  we  will  die  first,"  was  our  defiant  answer. 

"  Down  with  the  puerta,"  was  the  command,  and  the  timber  was  raised, 
and  dashed  against  the  portal. 

The  slight  door  was  torn  from  its  hinges,  but  we  stepped  aside,  and 
escaped  the  crash,  and  the  next  instant  a  dozen  men  sprang  forward  to 
enter  the  apartment. 

"  Gib  dem  de  debil,"  roared  Lewey,  and  bang  went  both  of  our  rifles,  and 
two  peons  staggered  back,  and  fell  into  the  arms  of  those  who  were  just  be- 
hind them,  and  we  held  the  ruffians  in  check  for  a  moment,  and  but  for  a 
moment. 

"  Adelante,"  yelled  Sanchos,  « the  battle  is  won." 

As  the  crowd  surged  forward,  in  obedience  to  orders,  Jack  seemed  to  rec- 
ognize the  voice  and  presence  of  a  bitter  foe,  and  sprang  full  at  the  throat 
of  the  speaker,  for  we  could  see  the  ladrones  standing  between  us  and  the 
light,  while  they  did  not  note  us  very  well  with  our  backs  to  the  adobe 
wall. 

It  would  have  been  short  work  with  our  dog,  for  Sanchos  could  have  cut 
his  heart  out  easily  if  we  had  not  interfered.  I  raised  a  pistol  and  aimed  at 
the  greaser's  head,  and  let  drive.  The  ball  struck  the  fellow  near  the  right 
eye,  and  he  tumbled  over  backward,  and  hardly  moved  afterward,  while 
Jack,  satisfied  that  there  was  no  more  fight  in  his  late  antagonist,  deserted 
him  and  went  for  the  seat  of  a  half-breed's  trousers,  and  tore  out  whole 
mouthfuls  of  cloth  and  flesh,  and  the  fellow's  yells  were  as  fearful  as  the 


Lewey  and  I.  347 


screams  of  the  peons  in  the  patio,  who  were  furious  for  vengeance  now  that 
they  smelled  blood. 

"  Here  goes  for  anuder  von,"  cried  Lewey,  and  as  he  fired  there  was  a 
fall  and  a  howl  of  agony.  Then  we  poured  in  our  two  remaining  shots, 
clubbed  our  rifles,  dashed  at  the  heads  of  the  nearest  enemy,  and  crushed 
the  skulls  of  all  who  were  close  to  us.  There  was  much  hot  work  for  a  few 
minutes,  and  the  result  would  have  been  fatal  for  us,  overpowered  by  num- 
bers as  we  were,  and  confronted  with  greasers  inspired  with  artificial  cour- 
age, crazed  with  rum  and  a  desire  to  be  revenged  on  us  for  the  death  of 
friends,  and  also  the  thought  that  Donna  Costello  had  money  and  jewels  in 
the  house. 

One  fellow  made  a  hack  at  us  with  his  heavy  machete,  but  missed  his 
aim,  as  we  could  see  his  motions,  and  he  did  not  observe  ours  on  account 
of  facing  the  light.  The  next  instant  the  stocks  of  our  lifles  descended 
on  the  Mexican's  right  arm,  the  terrible  weapon  was  dropped,  and  a  yell  of 
agony  told  that  the  limb  was  broken  near  the  hand. 

We  could  not  retreat.  Our  backs  were  to  the  wall,  and  half  a  hundred 
enraged  scoundrels  were  confronting  us  in  the  room  and  the  patio,  and  just 
as  we  were  almost  ready  to  despair  of  beating  back  the  crowd  of  fiends,  we 
heard  a  loud  cheer  in  the  street,  and  then  the  shout  of,  — 

"  Away,  boarders,  away.  Give  the  greasers  a  touch  oi  steel,  boys.  Down 
with  the  blanked  scoundrels.  Let  'em  have  hail  Columbia." 

We  answered  that  sailor-like  command  with  a  yell  of  delight,  put  in  a  few 
fresh  blows  with  our  rifle-stocks,  and  then  there  was  a  rush  from  the  patio, 
the  greasers  tumbled  out  of  the  house  in  headlong  haste,  only  to  be  struck 
down  with  boarding-pikes  and  cutlasses,  and  in  ten  minutes  after  the  first 
cheer  from  the  relief  party  there  was  no  one  present  in  the  court-yard  ex- 
cept the  dead  and  wounded,  and  half  a  hundred  blue-jackets  making  merry 
and  cracking  jokes  over  the  expeditious  manner  in  which  they  had  scattered 
the  blood-thirsty  mob,  and  not  lost  a  man  in  return. 

We  struck  a  glim  as  soon  as  possible,  and  then  spoke  to  the  officer  in 
command,  who  proved  to  be  my  old  schoolmate  Bob,  a  midshipman  of  the 
frigate  Cumberland. 

"  Well,  old  fellow,"  he  asked,  "  was  it  a  tight  squeeze  this  time  ?  " 

"  The  stiffest  little  breeze  we  ever  saw,"  I  answered.  "  A  few  minutes 
more  and  we  should  have  been  finished  for  good.  Never  did  we  hear  a 
more  joyful  cry  than  '  Away,  boarders,'  in  the  English  lingo." 

"  I  thought  that  would  fetch  'em,"  chuckled  the  officer.     "  If   I   had  said 

charge '  the  boys  would  not  have  understood  me.     Stand  still,  you  rascals. 


Lewey  and  I. 


Don't  leave  the  ranks  and  hunt  for  aguardiente.  There  is  none  in  the 
town."  This  was  addressed  to  the  sailors,  who  were  getting  restless  for 
further  adventures. 

"Tell  that  to  the  marines,"  some  blue-jacket  cried. 

"  Who  said  that  ?  "  demanded  the  middy,  but  no  one  responded  to  the 
polite  interrogation  for  reasons  of  his  own. 

"  How  did  you  happen  to  be  on-  shore  at  this  time  of  night  ?  "  I  asked  the 
middy. 

"The  simplest  thing  in  the  world.  About  six  bells  Mr.  Larkin,  the 
American  consul,  sent  a  despatch  on  board  stating  that  the  town  was  given 
up  to  pillage,  and  asking  the  commodore  to  land  a  party,  and  restore  order 
if  possible.  There  are  two  hundred  of  us  scattered  about  the  village,  and 
we  have  kept  the  greasers  on  the  run  ever  since  we  touched  the  beach. 
All  the  soldiers  marched  off  at  dark  we  had  been  given  to  understand,  so 
there  was  not  much  of  a  chance  for  a  fight  after  all,  and  perhaps  it  is  just  as 
well.  Stand  steady,  you  villains,  or  I  '11  break  your  necks  as  sure  as  you 
live.  There  is  not  a  drop  of  rum  in  the  place  I  tell  you." 

"We  is  anxious  for  water,  Mr.  Bob,"  a  veteran  said.  "  We  is  parched 
for  a  drink." 

"  Yes,  of  fire-water,  but  you  won't  get  it,  now  I  tell  you.  Stand  still  un- 
til the  marines  come  up,  and  show  'em  how  steady  you  are  on  land." 

"  The  sojers  be  blanked,"  was  growled  out,  and  then  I  whispered  to  the 
midshipman,  — 

"  We  have  a  few  bottles  of  aguardiente  in  the  house.  Let  one  of  your 
best  men  deal  it  out  in  gentle  tots  to  the  lads." 

"  All  right.  Here,  Williams,  you  act  as  purser's  clerk,  and  serve  out  a 
tot  of  grog  to  each  man,  and  mind  your  eye  while  you  are  about  it  No 
double  splices  if  you  please.  I  shall  look  after  you,  be  assured." 

The  cheer  that  followed  this  announcement  could  have  been  heard  on 
board  the  frigate,  and  away  up  the  mountains. 

We  furnished  a  lot  of  tin  pots,  the  liquor,  and  a  light.  The  men  were  re- 
freshed after  their  fight,  and  then  wanted  another  scrimmage,  in  hope  of 
getting  more  rum. 

"By  the  way,"  asked  Bob,  "what  are  you  doing  here?  Is  this  your 
home  ?  " 

"  Yes,  for  the  present.  We  were  trying  to  save  from  outrage  a  lady  who 
has  been  very  kind  to  us." 

"  Is  she  pretty  ?  " 

"  Very." 


Lewey  and  I.  349 


"  Let  me  get  a  glimpse  of  her.  I  have  not  seen  a  petticoat  for  months, 
and  long  for  the  sight  of  a  sweet  face." 

"  Not  tonight.  There  are  too  many  dead  bodies  lying  around  loose  to  be 
agreeable  to  a  young  woman.  Come  in  the  morning,  and  you  shall  have  an 
introduction,  if  the  lady  does  not  object  to  seeing  a  Yankee  officer." 

"  She  ought  not  to,  after  all  of  our  efforts  to  save  the  place.  But,  by 
George,  there  goes  the 'bugles.  We  are  signaled  to  form  on  the  plaza. 
Will  call  on  you  as  soon  as  possible.  Come,  muster  in  line,  men,  and  pre- 
pare to  repel  boarders.  Away  you  go  to  the  starboard.  Stamp  along  live- 
ly. Keep  a  good  lookout  for  breakers,  and  the  greasers  at  the  same  time. 
Show  the  marines  that  you  know  how  to  march  as  well  as  the  best  of  'em," 
and  away  went  the  jolly  blue-jackets,  joking  and  roaring  with  laughter,  as 
they  pricked  some  drunken  half-breed  with  their  boarding-pikes,  or  an  Indi- 
an who  was  a  little  too  obtrusive. 

As  soon  as  the  sailors  had  departed  I  pushed  open  the  door  and  entered 
the  room  where  Donna  Costello  and  her  child  were  concealed.  The  lady 
was  on  her  knees,  praising  the  saints  in  thanksgiving  for  her  escape  from 
death  and  outrage,  and  the  little  boy  was  sleeping  quietly,  not  having 
awakened  during  the  night,  through  all  the  tumult  of  the  fight  and  riot. 

"  Senora,"  I  said,  "  all  danger  has  passed.  The  Yankees,  whom  you  pro- 
fess to  despise  so  much,  came  to  our  assistance  just  in  time,  and  put  the 
ladrones  to  flight." 

She  arose  and  put  her  hands  in  mine,  and  then  asked,  — 

"  How  should  I  have  fared  if  you  and  your  friend  had  not  defended  the 
house  before  they  came  ?  " 

"  We  did  the  best  we  could,  dear  lady,  until  relief  arrived,"  and  as  I 
spoke  she  put  up  her  lips  and  kissed  me,  so  great  was  her  gratitude. 

I  begged  her  to  lie  down  and  sleep,  and  she  promised  to  comply  with  my 
request.  Then  I  left  her.  and  joined  Lewey,  who,  with  the  aid  of  a  lamp, 
was  examining  the  bodies  of  the  dead. 

"  Dis  blanked  villain  vill  nebber  harm  us  more,"  he  said,  as  he  showed 
me  the  dark  face  of  Edwardo  Sanchos,  a  pistol  ball  having  passed  through 
his  temple,  and  ended  his  career  of  crime. 

He  moved  the  body  as  he  spoke,  and  a  clink  of  gold  was  heard. 

Lewey  knelt  down  and  tore  open  the  breast  of  the  dead  man's  shirt.  A 
belt  was  revealed  that  passed  completely  around  the  body.  With  a  cut  of 
his  knife  the  lad  severed  the  buckskin,  and  when  it  was  loosened  a  number 
of  Spanish  doubloons  dropped  to  the  floor. 

"  Dis  vill   us  pay  for  dis  night's   vork,"  the  French  boy  remarked,  and 


Lewey  and  I. 


counting  the  coin  we  found  that  there  were  just  one  hundred  gold  pieces, 
representing  a  value  of  about  seventeen  hundred  dollars.  This  was  a  great 
surprise. 

"  Him  heirs  vill  see  dis  not,"  Lewey  said.  "  Ve  vill  keep  it  to  remember 
de  dead,"  and  then  we  put  the  money  out  of  sight,  thrust  the  bodies  of  the 
peons  and  Mexicans  into  the  patio,  rigged  up  the  broken  door,  spread  our 
blankets,  and  lay  down  for  a  little  rest  before  daylight,  as  the  town  was  now 
quiet,  and  the  sailors  and  marines  had  full  possession  of  the  place,  the 
peons  and  ladrones  having  fled  to  the  mountains,  following  in  the  wake  of 
the  army. 

It  was  not  a  refreshing  slumber  that  we  courted,  but  we  did  get  a  few 
winks  of  sleep  before  sunrise.  When  we  arose  and  looked  out  on  the 
plaza  we  saw  the  sailors  and  marines  lying  down  on  blankets,  and  sentinels 
pacing  back  and  forth,  and  a  boat-gun  in  the  centre  of  the  parade,  all  ready 
for  execution,  while  on  the  veranda  of  his  house  sat  Mr.  Larkin,  looking 
across  the  bay  at  the  frigates  Cumberland  and  Independence,  the  latter 
having  arrived  during  the  night,  and  at  the  peaks  of  both  ships  floated  the 
American  flags,  and  at  the  main  of  the  first-named  vessel  was  the  broad 
pennant  of  a  commodore. 

I  fancied  that  I  could  hear  the  American  consul,  as  he  welcomed  the 
sight  so  dear  to  his  heart,  hum  a  light  and  agreeable  song,  and  thank  God 
that  the  days  of  anxiety  were  passed,  never  to  return  as  far  as  Monterey 
was  concerned. 

We  hunted  up  several  peons,  and  compelled  them  to  remove  and  bury 
the  dead,  then  found  one  of  Donna  Costello's  cooks,  and  made  him  prepare 
breakfast,  the  best  that  could  be  obtained,  and  when  all  was  ready  I  went  in 
search  of  my  midshipman  friend,  and  invited  him  and  several  officers  to 
come  to  the  house,  and  satisfy  their  hunger  and  thirst  with  an  olia  and  a  cup 
of  coffee.  Very  glad  were  they  to  accept  the  offer,  but  Donna  Costello 
would  not  meet  them,  as  she  was  too  patriotic  to  break  bread  with  the  ene- 
mies of  her  country,  even  if  they  had  saved  her  life  the  night  before.  She 
was  a  true  descendant  of  the  Spanish  race,  and  could  neither  forgive  nor 
forget  when  all  danger  was  passed. 

The  naval  officers  were  very  polite,  and  made  no  unpleasant  remarks 
about  the  lady's  absence.  They  asked  us  to  give  their  regards,  and  say 
how  pleased  they  should  have  been  to  meet  so  beautiful  a  woman,  and 
treated  Lewey  and  myself  as  equals,  for  my  friend  Bob,  the  middy,  had  en- 
lightened his  messmates  as  to  the  French  lad's  position,  and  my  own,  and 
they  looked  upon  us  as  two  cracked-brained  young  men,  who  were  seeing 


Lewey  and  I.  35 T 


life,  and  finding  adventures  which  others  more  sensible  would  have 
avoided. 

The  town  was  now  quiet  enough.  A  guard  was  placed  near  the  residence 
of  the  American  consul,  but  no  further  disturbance  was  anticipated,  and  at 
nine  o'clock  the  sailors  and  marines  were  withdrawn  from  the  plaza,  and  re- 
turned to  the  Cumberland,  and  from  the  quarter-deck  of  the  frigate  was 
heard  th.e  sound  of  martial  music,  and  the  stirring  notes  of  the  "  Star  Span- 
gled Banner,"  attracting  hundreds  of  people  to  the  beach  and  custom  house. 
But  the  better  class  of  Mexicans  did  not  show  themselves,  and  the  pretty 
senoritas  kept  within  doors,  and  seemed  to  care  nothing  for  the  band  or  the 
officers. 

During  the  day  Senora  Costello  received  notes  from  her  brother  and  hus- 
band. They  had  heard  of  the  tumult  in  the  town  the  night  before,  and  con- 
sidered the  place  no  longer  safe  for  a  young,  unprotected  woman.  They 
advised  her  to  join  them  at  or  near  the  Mission  Carmel  as  soon  as  possible, 
and  our  friend  the  colonel  made  a  personal  request  that  Lewey  and  I  would 
take  charge  of  her,  and  see  that  she  reached  the  lines  of  the  Mexican  army 
in  safety.  We  could  not  refuse  compliance  with  such  a  delicate  demand, 
and  passed  the  day  in  getting  ready  for  the  journey.  We  hunted  all 
through  the  town  for  a  carriage,  but  not  one  was  to  be  obtained.  The 
volante  had  been  taken  by  Senora  Castro  the  night  before,  when  her  hus- 
band made  his  escape,  and  was  miles  away,  so  the  only  thing  we  could  sug- 
gest was  to  place  the  lady  on  horseback,  and  thus  travel  to  the  mountains, 
for  one  so  gentle  could  not  walk  over  the  rough  roads  with  a  child  in  her 
arms,  or  by  her  side. 

Our  sweet  friend  did  not  object  to  the  arrangement,  but  as  there  was  no 
side  saddle  in  the  country  it  was  a  little  doubtful  how  we  could  manage,  es- 
pecially as  the  lady  declined  to  adopt  man's  usual  style  of  occupying  a 
position  on  a  horse.  We  talked  the  whole  thing  over,  and  at  last  found  a 
pack  saddle,  broad  and  strong,  which  Mr.  Larkin  let  us  have  as  a  gift, 
when  he  learned  our  purpose.  We  covered  it  with  some  cheap  cloth,  rig- 
ged a  stirrup  for  the  lady's  foot, 'found  a  bridle  that  was  strong  and  service- 
able, put  a  strap  on  the  forward  part  of  the  saddle  for  a  pommel,  and 
thought  the  thing  would  answer  the  purpose  very  well,  and  when  we  exhib- 
ited our  work  to  Senora  Costello  she  was  so  pleased  with  the  whole  ar- 
rangement that  she  had  no  misgivings  as  to  her  ability  to  cling  on  while  as- 
cending or  descending  the  mountains. 

Then  we  hunted  around  and  found  a  stately,  sure-footed  old  mule,  one 
that  would  not  be  likely  to  play  any  unruly  pranks,  and  could  walk  all  day 


35-  Lewey  and  1. 


without  a  bray  of  discontent.  As  we  did  not  know  who  owned  the  borrico 
we  confiscated  him  in  the  name  of  the  government,  and  were  never  prose- 
cuted for  mule  stealing,  as  General  Castro  and  Colonel  Fernando  gave  us 
immediate  absolution,  as  soon  as  they  learned  all  the  circumstances  of  the 
case.  Thus  prepared  we  looked  after  our  horses  the  night  before  we  were 
to  start,  and  at  sundown  wandered  to  the  bsach,  sat  on  the  rocks  near  the 
custom  house,  heard  the  bands  on  the  frigates  play  national  airs  until  nine 
o'clock,  and,  as  I  listened  to  the  music  stealing  across  the  waters  of  the 
bay,  a  feeling  of  homesickness  came  over  me,  which  my  friend  was  not 
slow  to  perceive,  for  he  said, — 

"  Come,  let  us  back  go,  and  sleep  good  for  de  night.  All  de  best  fun  of 
our  lives  is  soon  afore  us  to  be.  Ve  skall  see  Anita  and  Engracia,  and  tell 
dem  vot  ve  has  passed  through  for  dere  sakes,  and  dey  vill  pity  us  and  love 
us  de  more." 

"  Do  you  know,  Lewey,"  I  cried,  as  we  rose  to  go,  "  I  begin  to  think  that 
fate  is  against  us,  and  that  we  shall  never  marry  those  half-breed  Mexican 
girls." 

"  Darn  if  I  care  it  ve  don't,"  the  fickle-minded  French  lad  replied.  "  I 
begins  to  dink  dat  dey  is  not  our  equals  in  de  life." 

"  And  you  would  break  your  pledged  word  ? "  I  demanded,  quite 
sternly. 

"  Vy  not  ?     Dey  vould  do  dame  dings  us  for." 

"  Never,"  I  answered.  "  They  love  us  too  well  for  that.  They  would  re- 
main true  for  years  for  our  sakes." 

"  How  little  know  you  vomen  about,"  Lewey  said.  "  Dey  throw  ober  us 
for  better  and  richer  men  in  von  minute  and  a  half.  Do  dink  you,  mon 
ami,  dat  ve  has  much  moneys  now.  Ve  has  two  dousand  dollars,  all  in  de 
gold,  and  dat  is  not  bad  for  two  young  men  to  life  commence  vith.  Be- 
sides, vot  does  ve  vant  of  vives  anyvay  ?  Ve  is  free  now,  and  goes  vare  ve 
pleases,  and  stays  as  long  as  ve  vants  to,  and  vot  more  does  vant  you  ? " 

"  At  least  you  will  go  to  the  girls,  and  tell  them  that  you  have  changed 
your  mind  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Oh,  I  don't  know  vot  I  vill  do.  Dare  is  time  enough  for  all  dat  ven  ve 
comes  to  it.  Don't  trouble  let  us  borror.  Alons,  ve  has  a  big  future  afore 
us,"  and  just  then  we  came  across  Captain  Cooper,  of  the  schooner 
California. 

"  I  see  that  the  Yankees  have  captured  your  war-vessel,  captain,"  I  re- 
marked. "  The  crew  did  not  make  a  vigorous  defence  I  am  afraid." 

"  The  odds  were  too  great  against  us,"  was  the  reply,  with  a  vicious  bite 


Lewey  and  I. 

of  his  maimed  hand.  "  Man  to  man  we  could  have  licked  them,  but  the  big 
guns  did  the  business.  However,  the  vessel  is  private  property.  I  seized 
her  several  days  since  for  debt.  She  will  be  restored  to  me,  I  think,"  and 
she  .was,  by  the  commodore's  orders. 

The  old  salt  passed  on,  grumbling,  and  we  returned  home,  and  slept  for 
the  last  time  in  the  house  that  had  sheltered  us  for  so  many  weeks,  and 
where  we  had  passed  some  very  happy  hours,  and  many  anxious  ones. 

We  were  up  bright  and  early,  got  breakfast  for  Senora  Costello  and  her 
child,  and  also  for  ourselves,  packed  what  clothes  the  lady  needed,  made  her 
put  on  a  broad  bri  rimed  straw  sombrero  to  protect  her  head  from  the  hot 
sun,  fastened  up  the  house  by  the  aid  of  hammers  and  nails,  and  at  nine 
o'clock  were  ready  for  our  journey,  then  ambled  out  across  the  plaza, 
passed  the  house  of  the  American  consul,  where  Mr.  Lai  kin  was  seated  on 
his  veranda,  as  usual,  gazing  off  across  the  bay,  and  at  the  two  heavy  frig- 
ates, and  as  we  bade  him  good-morning  the  old  gentleman  asked, — 
*'  Boys,  do  you  think  of  coming  back  to  Monterey  ?  " 

"  It  is  impossible  to  tell,  sir.  We  do  not  know  where  we  shall  go,  or 
what  we  may  do." 

"  The  Mexicans  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  your  heroic  services  the 
other  night.  I  have  sent  a  note  to  General  Castro,  and  detailed  them 
among  other  things.  The  American  government  is  also  indebted  to  you  for 
what  you  have  done,  but  I  fear  that  the  reward  will  be  light." 

This  verbal  testimony  is  all  I  have  to  offer  the  United  States  for  the  part 
Lewey  and  I  performed  in  those  trying  times,  and  if  a  pension  is  offered 
me  on  the  strength  of  it,  I  wish  there  would  be  no  delay  about  its  being 
made  available  in  dollars  and  cents,  or  else  the  government  should  order 
twenty  thousand  copies  of  this  book,  and  pay  for  them,  as  a  slight  recom- 
pense for  my  sufferings  during  the  war  in  California. 

We  thanked  the  consul  for  his  kind  wishes,  and  were  about  to  move  off, 
as  a  crowd  was  collecting  to  see  the  novel  picture  of  a  lady  with  a  straw 
sombrero  on  her  head,  riding  a  led  mule,  and  with  a  child  in  her  arms.  It 
was  a  wonderful  spectacle,  and  caused  Senora  Costello  to  blush  at  her  awk- 
ward position. 

"  One  moment,  boys,"  Mr.  Larkin  said,  and  we  held  up  to  hear  his  words. 
"  Do  you  know  what  day  of  the  month  it  is  ?  " 
"  No,  sir.     We  have  lost  the  run  of  such  things." 

"  The  seventh  day  of  July,  1846.     Remember  it,  for  it  will  live  in  history 
for  many  years." 
"  Why  so,  sir  ?  " 


354  Lewey  and  I. 


"  Because  in  a  few  hours  Commodore  Sloat  will  hoist  the  American  flag 
near  the  custom  house,  and  take  formal  possession  of  California,  and  after 
the  flag  is  raised  this  State  is  lost  forever  to  Mexico.  The  stars  and  stripes 
will  not  be  succeeded  by  the  buzzard,  and  if  you  live  long  enough  you  may 
see  this  great  territory  teeming  with  life  and  industry,  with  wealth  and  con- 
tentment, prosperity  and  happiness,  and  so  it  will  grow  until  people  wonder 
at  the  enterprise  and  intelligence  of  its  inhabitants,  and  from  all  parts  of  the 
world  will  commerce  come  to  us,  our  harbors  teem  with  life,  and  grain 
grow  on  every  hill  and  in  all  the  rich  valleys.  Then  will  California  be 
blessed,  and  may  I  live  long  enough  to  see  it." 

"  He  is  crazy,''  muttered  Lewey,  as  we  resumed  our  way,  but  I  thought 
there  was  method  in  his  madness,  and  his  prophecy  came  true  sooner  than 
he  anticipated,  but  he  lived  long  enough  to  realize  some  of  his  predictions, 
if  not  all,  for  he  did  not  dream  of  the  great  railroad  and  steamship  lines  in 
those  days,  or  the  overland  cars,  and  immense  hotels,  where  all  was  once 
wild  and  desolate. 

As  we  turned  from  the  plaza,  and  struck  the  trail  that  led  to  the  Mission 
Carmel,  I  glanced  back  and  saw  the  old  gentleman  still  on  his  veranda, 
looking  across  the  bay  and  dreaming  of  the  prosperous  days  to  come.  I 
never  saw  him  again,  but  if  his  re  nains  are  buried  near  Monterey  I  hope  to 
have  the  melancholy  satisfaction  of  placing  a  garland  of  flowers  on  his 
tomb  some  day  in  the  near  future. 

"What  was  he  talking  about?"  asked  Senora  Costello,  as  we  left  the 
village,  much  to  the  delight  of  Jack,  who  commenced  sniffing  game  in  every 
bush,  and  was  glad  to  be  once  more  in  the  woods  and  among  the 
chapparel. 

"  Of  the  future  of  California,  lady,"  I  answered. 

"  There  's  no  future  for  the  State,"  she  said,  as  a  tear  dropped  from  her 
bright  eyes.  "  Under  the  rule  of  Americans  life  will  not  be  worth  much  to 
the  Mexican  people,"  and  she  expressed  the  sentiments  of  all  the  better 
class  of  her  race,  and  perhaps  even  years  have  not  removed  the  impression 
that  the  Yankees  are  intruders  upon  the  soil. 

As  we  gained  the  elevation  near  where  now  stands  the  Hotel  del  Monte, 
we  heard  a  gun  fired  from  one  of  the  frigates.  We  checked  our  animals, 
and  looked  over  the  village  at  our  feet.  There  were  barges  being  rowed  to 
the  shore,  and  in  the  boats  were  glittering  uniforms  and  many  men.  We 
saw  a  crowd  of  people  assemble  near  the  custom  house,  a  band  played  some 
national  airs,  the  American  flag  was  raised  hi°:h  above  the  heads  of  the 
spectators,  and  then  the  war- ships  thundered  forth  a  salute,  and  the  State 


Lewey  and  I.  355 


of  California  was  annexed  to  the  Union  in  deed  if  not  in  act,  for  our  people 
had  been  striving  to  get  possession  too  many  years  to  give  up  the  prize  af- 
ter peace  was  declared,  and  it  is  worth  some  of  the  sacrifices  of  the  Mexi- 
can war,  for  its  future  will  be  as  great  as  its  past  has  been  wonderful. 

"  I  hate  the  Americans,"  said  Senora  Costello  as  she  watched  the  scene, 
and  the  tears  fell  from  her  eyes. 

"  And  I  am  an  American,  lady,"  I  remarked  with  a  smile. 

"  But  I  do  not  hate  you,"  was  the  response,  and  she  extended  her  hand, 
and  I  pressed  it  reverentially  to  my  lips. 

We  turned  away  from  the  sight  as  the  last  gun  was  fired,  and  I  saw  Mon- 
terey no  more,  although  we  heard  from  the  place  quite  often  while  we  re- 
mained on  the  coast. 

We  pushed  our  way  over  the  trail,  the  sun  shining  hot  upon  our  heads, 
and  before  we  were  two  miles  from  the  village  stumbled  upon  some  outlying 
pickets,  who  challenged  us,  and  then  rode  forward  to  ask  the  news.  Most 
of  the  soldiers  knew  who  we  were,  and  did  not  express  surprise  at  seeing  us, 
for  they  expected  their  colonel's  sister  would  not  remain  in  Monterey,  and 
run  the  risk  of  being  insulted  by  the  conquerers.  They  did  not  think  that 
a  lady  was  safer  under  the  protection  of  American  officers  than  the  Mexi- 
cans of  the  lower  order. 

We  were  hurried  forward  to  headquarters,  and  then  conducted  to  the 
presence  of  General  Castro,  while  Senora  Costello  was  taken  possession  of 
by  her  husband  and  brother,  and  made  comfortable  in  the  hut  of  the 
latter. 

The  Mexican  governor  was  anxious  to  learn  if  there  was  a  chance  for  an 
attack  on  the  town,  and  beating  the  Yankees,  but  when  I  told  him  that  the 
frigates  would  interfere  with  his  plans  he  gave  up  all  idea  of  re-conquering 
Monterey,  and  determined  to  turn  his  steps  to  the  southern  part  of  the 
State.  He  was  in  no  haste  to  go,  as  the  Americans  were  not  disposed  to 
attack  him,  and  so  we  remained  near  the  Mission  for  several  days,  and  then 
marched  for  Santa  Barbara. 

In  the  meantime  Colonel  Fernando  and  the  husband  had  learned  of  our 
valuable  services,  and  we  were  thanked  in  a  sincere  manner.  The  former 
gave  us  quarters  near  his  own,  and  made  us  honorary  members  of  his  staff, 
with  very  light  duties  and  still  lighter  pay,  for  we  grot  not  a  dollar  for  all 
that  we  did  for  the  people,  but  had  one  advantage,  — could  steal  all  we  de- 
sired of  other  men's  pronertv.  and  no  one  dared  to  siv  that  w»  were  rrn'vFt. 
as  we  were  clothed  with  full  authority  to  take  horses  and  cattle  when 
needed. 


Lewey  and  I. 


Our  position  enabled  us  to  perform  a  kind  action  for  some  friends  of  ours, 
however,  when  we  were  encamped  near  the  Salines  River.  One  morning 
while  we  were  riding  about  the  country,  we  noticed  a  commotion  in  a  clump 
of  trees  on  the  banks  of  the  stream,  and  heard  loud  curses  in  the  English 
tongue,  and  hearty  carambas  in  Spanish.  When  we  rode  up  to  the  place 
we  were  much  surprised  to  find  our  former  supercargo,  Mr.  H.  F.  Teschem- 
acher,  and  Messrs.  William  Wolfskill  and  William  Howard,  gentlemen  well 
known  on  the  coast,  engaged  in  an  angry  and  exciting  discussion  with  some 
of  our  cavalrymen,  the  latter  having  seized  the  former's  horses,  and  were 
about  to  lead  them  off,  all  animals  being  confiscated  by  the  order  of  Gener- 
al Castro.  We  soon  put  a  stop  to  the  hot  words,  and  ordered  the  Mexicans 
to  release  the  animals  and  restore  them  to  their  owners.  Very  reluctantly 
they  obeyed,  and  then  we  escorted  the  gentlemen  past  the  camp  by  a  blind 
trail,  and  saw  them  safely  on  their  way  to  Monterey.  They  thanked  us  for 
the  service  rendered,  but  we  saw  them  no  more  while  in  the  country.  No 
doubt  Mr.  Teschemacher  will  remember  the  incident  even  at  this  late  day, 
the  only  witness  I  have  to  prove  my  claim  for  a  pension  from  both  countries. 
I  hope  he  will  live  until  1  get  it,  and  if  he  does  the  oldest  man  spoken  of  in 
the  Bible  will  be  a  mere  infant  in  arms  in  comparison  to  the  age  of  my 
friend  when  he  dies. 

We  moved  in  short  marches  to  Santa  Barbara.  No  one  was  in  a  hurry, 
for  there  was  nothing  to  be  gained  by  haste.  A  report  reached  us  at  San 
Luis  Obispo  that  some  kind  of  a  Bear  Party,  composed  of  foreigners,  had 
met  near  San  Francisco,  and  elected  Captain  Fremont  governor  of  the 
State,  but  Castro  laughed  at  the  idea,  and  so  did  all  the  Mexicans,  and  it 
was  soon  forgotten. 

Every  day  that  we  traveled  I  showed  Senora  Costello  some  polite  atten- 
tion, and  looked  after  all  her  wants.  She  found  the  mule  and  saddle  so 
much  more  comfortable  than  a  volante  or  ox-cart  that  she  clung  to  the  con- 
veyance until  Santa  Barbara  was  reached,  where  she  remained  during  the 
war. 

We  passed  the  ranches  we  had  stopped  at  on  our  way  to  Monterey,  and 
to  the  indignation  of  the  rancheros  levied  on  their  stock  to  feed  the  men. 
When  at  San  Luis  Obispo  we  once  more  visited  the  fresh  water  creek  near 
the  Cave,  and  had  a  most  glorious  wash,  the  first  for  some  weeks,  owing  to 
the  want  of  time  and  facilities.  We  went  to  the  house  where  we  had  seen 
the  fandango  during  our  sailor  boys'  career,  and  laughed  as  we  thought  of 
the  fun  we  had  enjoyed  that  night. 

On  the  eighth  day  after  leaving  Monterey  we  reached  Santa  Barbara,  and 


Lewey  and  I. 


the  people  turned  out  and  gave  us  a  reception.  As  we  rode  by  the  house 
of  Don  Noriego  I  saw  his  daughter  on  the  veranda  waving  a  scarf  as  a  wel- 
come to  the  gallant  soldiers.  As  I  was  just  in  the  rear  of  Colonel  Fernan- 
do, and  at  the  head  of  the  column,  1  did  not  deem  it  out  of  place  to  take 
some  part  of  the  enthusiasm  to  myself,  and  when  the  handsome  young  lady 
smiled  and  bowed  to  us  I  raised  my  hat,  and  did  all  that  I  could  to  attract 
her  attention,  and  she  seemed  amused  at  my  persistency  for  there  was  a 
glow  on  her  face,  and  Lewey  growled  out,  — 

"  I  s'pose  you  dink  dat  is  for  you,  but  it  is  n't.  She  is  lookin'  right  at  me 
all  de  time,"  which  was  a  lie,  as  it  was  no  such  thing,  but  my  French  friend 
always  was  jealous  of  the  lady  for  some  reason  or  other,  fearing  perhaps 
that  she  would  have  the  first  place  in  my  mind  instead  of  himself. 

As  there  were  no  ships-of-war  in  the  harbor,  and  none  had  made  their  ap- 
pearance thus  far,  it  was  proposed  to  remain  several  days  at  Santa  Barbara, 
to  recruit  the  men,  and  see  what  was  best  to  be  done,  and  where  to  go  in 
case  fighting  was  called  for.  We  saw  Mr.  Robinson,  and  spoke  with  hi  in 
for  a  few  minutes,  and  very  much  astonished  he  was  at  the  importance  we 
had  attained  in  so  short  a  time,  for  Senora  Costello  did  not  hesitate  to  ex- 
press her  opinion  as  to  our  conduct,  and  praise  us  more  than  we  deserved. 
Her  brother  also  was  very  particular  in  his  commendations,  and  thus,  in  the 
course  of  a  day  or  two,  I  was  formally  presented  to  the  Senorita  Noriego, 
but  she  never  knew  me  as  the  sailor  boy  who  had  admired  her  so  much 
when  he  was  connected  with  the  Admittance,  and  in  fact  she  acted  just  as 
though  she  had  never  seen  my  face  before,  which  was  a  great  triumph  for 
Lewey,  as  he  said,  — 

"  I  tells  you  so.     No  voman  look  at  you  twice  ven  I  is  near." 

He  did  not  mean  to  be  personal,  for  he  was  as  proud  of  my  success  as  1 
was  of  his,  only  he  was  a  little  jealous  that  I  would  like  some  one  he  disap- 
proved of. 

The  third  day  after  our  arrival  at  Santa  Barbara,  and  when  we  had  found 
very  good  quarters,  we  thought  it  about  time  to  visit  Ranche  Refugio,  and 
take  a  look  at  the  girls  we  had  left  under  such  distressing  circumstances. 
We  did  not  exchange  a  word  with  each  other  about  marriage,  avoiding  the 
topic  by  mutual  consent,  for  somehow,  as  we  mixed  with  the  people,  and 
saw  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  good  position,  we  thought  it  was  best  to  reflect 
on  what  we  were  going  to  do  before  it  was  too  late. 

"Colonel,"  we  said  one  morning,  "  we  should  like  leave  of  absence  for  a 
day  or  two,  if  you  think  you  can  run  the  regiment  without  us." 

He  smiled  as  he  said,  — 


358  Lewey  and  I. 


"You  are  going  to  Ranche  Refugio  to  see  the  girls  ?  " 

"  Yes,  colonel,  such  is  our  intention," 

"  You  will  not  obtain  leave  of  absence  from  me  unless  you  promise  one 
thing,"  our  superior  said. 

"  Oh,  we  agree  to  it,"  Lewey  remarked,  thinking  that  it  was  some  trifling 
request. 

**  Very  well.  Then  promise  me  you  will  not  marry  those  half-breed  girls 
until  you  have  thought  the  matter  all  over,  and  consulted  my  sister  and 
myself." 

"  We  promise,"  Lewey  cried,  with  remarkable  promptness,  and  then  we 
were  told  to  take  our  rifles  and  go,  but  to  be  very  particular  to  avoid  all 
bands  of  wandering  ladrones,  as  some  of  them  were  known  to  be  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  might  attempt  to  injure  us. 

We  directed  our  peon  servant  to  prepare  our  horses,  and  about  nine 
o'clock,  during  dne  of  the  most  beautiful  days  of  July,  rode  down  to  the 
beach,  saw  the  old  familiar  surf,  and  then  shaped  our  course  for  the  Ranche, 
from  which  we  were  forcibly  taken  only  a  few  months  before.  Somehow 
we  were  not  so  eager  to  reach  the  place  as  lovers  usually  are,  and  we  loi- 
tered on  the  trail,  to  the  great  delight  of  Jack,  so  that  it  was  near  twelve 
o'clock  when  we  stopped  at  the  residence  of  the  two  pretty  sisters,  and 
begged  for  a  cup  of  water.  They  did  not  recognize  the  smartly-dressed 
boys  as  their  old  friends,  and  we  had  to  explain  matters  before  we  could 
make  them  comprehend  who  we  were,  and  what  fortunes  we  had  met  with 
since  we  saw  them  last.  We  claimed  to  be  officers  in  the  army,  and  were, 
in  fact,  but  the  positions  were  merely  honorary,  and  given  just  to  afford  us 
protection  while  in  the  country. 

We  were  invited  ro  remain  and  dine,  but  pleaded  want  of  time,  left  the 
young  ladies,  and  went  toward  the  residence  of  Anita  and  Engracia.  It 
would  be  unjust  to  say  that  we  were  not  a  little  agitated  as  we  drew  near 
the  poor  adobe  house  we  had  visited  so  many  times.  We  smiled  as  we 
thought  of  our  previous  reception  by  the  mother  of  the  girls,  when  we  were 
eager  for  an  interview,  and  how  she  had  abused  us  for  calling.  We  won- 
dered if  such  a  torrent  of  words  would  again  fall  upon  our  ears,  and  the 
question  appeared  to  be  promptly  answered,  for  before  a  scant  fire,  but  un- 
der the  hot  sun,  sat  the  very  old  woman  we  had  been  thinking  of,  the  moth- 
er of  Anita  and  Engracia,  and  she  was  engaged  in  preparing  an  olia  for  her 
midday  meal. 

The  woman  looked  up  as  we  checked  our  horses,  and  seeing  two  caballe- 
ros  before  her  uttered  some  rude  words  of  welcome,  but  we  declined  to  dis- 


Lewey  and  I.  359 


mount  until  we  had  some  assurances  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the  girls,  and 
the  pacific  disposition  of  the  mother. 

"  Where  are  your  daughters,  senora  ? "  asked  Lewey,  in  a  bland  and 
mild  tone. 

"  With  their  husbands  to  be  sure,"  was  the  blunt  reply,  and  at  the  words 
we  both  uttered  exclamations  of  surprise,  and  put  our  hands  to  our  heads 
to  endeavor  to  collect  our  scattered  senses,  for  the  shock  was  a  great 
one. 

"  Veil,  I  'm  blanked,"  the  French  lad  said,  in  a  dazed  sort  of  manner, 
and  then  he  looked  at  me,  and  a  sickly  smile  passed  over  his  face,  as  he  did 
not  know  what  to  say  next. 

"  This  is  woman's  constancy,"  I  moaned,  and  yet  to  tell  the  truth  neither 
of  us  felt  like  raving  wildly  over  the  matter. 

"  How  long  have  the  girls  been  married  ? "  Lewey  asked,  after  a  moment's 
pause. 

"  Just  a  month,"  was  the  prompt  answer. 

"  And  whom  did  they  marry  ?  "  I  managed  to  inquire. 

"  Antonio  and  Carlos  Sanchos,"  was  the  reply,  and  then  we  were  indig- 
nant, for  our  fiancees  had  united  their  fortunes  to  the  men  who  had 
persecuted  us  during  our  residence  in  California,  and  completed  our  humili- 
ation by  taking  as  husbands  two  of  the  worst  scamps  in  the  country.  This 
was  not  flattering  to  us,  ?.nd  Lewey  ground  his  teeth  together  as  he  thought 
of  the  disgrace  of  being  superseded  by  a  couple  of  dark-faced,  elderly  ruf- 
fians, old  enough  to  be  th?  fathers  of  their  wives. 

"  Are  you  sure  the  girls  are  married  ?"  I  ventured  to  inquire. 

"  What  does  this  look  like  ?  "  the  woman  asked,  as  she  dropped  the 
sleeve  of  her  chemise,  and  showed  some  terrible  looking  bruises  on  her 
poor  old  wrinkled  bosom.  "And  what  do  you  call  this?"  bending  her 
head  forward,  and  revealing  a  cut  an  inch  and  a  half  long  on  the  back  of 
her  neck,  looking  angry  and  swollen. 

"  It  seems  as  though  some  one  had  ill-treated  you,  you  poor  old  thing," 
Lewey  said  in  a  tone  of  pity,  all  his  former  resentment  gone  at  the  sight  of 
the  injuries. 

"  It  looks  as  though  my  daughters  were  married,  does  it  not  ?."  the  wo- 
man asked  in  a  sarcastic  manner.  "  These  blows  were  inflicted  by  my  sons- 
in-law." 

"  The  saints  preserve  me,"  muttered  Lewey,  "  but  the  Sanchos  have 
more  courage  than  I  supposed.  How  did  they  dare  to  attack  her  in  such  a 
reckless  manner  ?  " 


360  Lewey  and  I. 


"  You  see  that  not  much  was  made  in  driving  us  away  from  your  house," 
I  said,  and  then  the  old  woman  glanced  up,  brushed  the  coarse  hair  from 
her  face,  and  looked  at  us. 

"  The  saints  forgive  me,  but  are  you  the  two  nice  young  gringos  who 
wanted  to  marry  the  girls  some  time  last  spring  ?  " 

"  We  are  the  same  persons,"  was  our  prompt  reply. 

"  And  I  spoke  a  little  hastily,  did  I  not?" 

"  Well,  we  should  think  you  did.  You  called  us  hard  names  in 
profusion." 

"Ah,  how  sorry  I  am  that  I  wronged  you.  Had  you  married  my  daugh- 
ters I  should  have  ruled  your  households.  Now,  curses  on  the  ladrones, 
they  rule  me,  and  pound  me  if  the  food  is  not  ready.  How  little  did  I 
know  what  was  good  for  myself.  I  had  better  have  let  the  souls  take  care 
of  themselves,  and  looked  after  the  bodies.  But  come  in  the  house,  and  I 
will  tell  you  all  about  it." 

We  entered  the  building,  and  prepared  to  listen  to  the  old  woman's  story. 
It  was  to  the  effect  that  Don  Antonio  Sanchos  had  visited  her  one  day,  — 
before  we  had  put  in  an  appearance,  or  while  we  were  journeying  from  San 
Diego  to  Santa  Barbara,  —  and  made  such  preposterous  statements  regard- 
ing us,  as  heretics  and  ladrones,  that  the  woman  got  frightened.  Then 
Sanchos  played  upon  the  feelings  of  the  priest,  and  he  put  a  veto  on  the 
match,  not  knowing  us  or  our  condition,  and  it  was  not  until  the  priest  of 
Santa  Cruz  wrote  to  the  padre  of  Ranche  Refugio  that  matters  were  ex- 
plained. It  was  then  too  late.  The  girls  had  been  married  through  the 
urging  of  their  mother  and  father  confessor,  under  the  supposition  that  the 
candidates  for  matrimony  had  plenty  of  money,  and  a  high  official  position, 
when,  in  fact,  they  were  outlaws,  and  atter  being  dismissed  by  General 
Castrc,  instead  of  going  to  San  Francisco,  hurried  to  the  Ranche  in  the 
hope  of  further  injuring  us  by  taking  away  our  intended  wives. 

"  De  saints  be  praised,  it  am  all  for  de  best,"  muttered  Lewey  as  the 
story  was  finished.  "  Dings  vork  in  de  most  mysterious  vay,  as  some  von 
has  said.  I  know  not  von.  Ve  has  preserved  de  honor  of  our  names,  and 
it  am  all  right,"  and  just  as  he  spoke  Anita  and  Engracia  entered  the  room 
to  see  who  had  arrived. 

They  uttered  wild  shrieks  when  they  saw  us,  and  threw  up  their 
hands. 

"  Do  not  come  near  us.  Keep  at  a  distance,  for  we  dare  not  speak  or 
touch  you,"  they  cried,  and  then,  woman-like,  rushed  toward  us,  put  their 
arms  around  our  necks,  and  kissed  us  as  in  days  of  old. 


Lewey  and  I. 


"  Oh,  why  did  you  come  here  when  you  know  that  we  are  married  ? 
Leave  us  at  once  before  our  husbands  find  you  in  the  house,  and  kill  you, 
as  they  will  do,"  both  girls  exclaimed. 

We  were  not  so  much  afraid  of  the  husbands  as  the  girls  seemed  to 
think,  although  we  did  put  our  old  loves  aside,  and  unwound  their  arms 
from  our  necks. 

"  You  have  been  untrue  to  us,"  we  said,  "  but  we  forgive  you.  Your  pun- 
ishment will  be  great.  You  had  an  opportunity  to  marry  two  of  the  most 
promising  young  men  in  California.  That  chance  you  have  thrown  away 
in  a  cool  and  deliberate  manner.  You  can  recall  it  to  mind  when  you  hear 
of  our  i'ame  in  years  to  come." 

This  was  not  modest,  but  we  wanted  a  slight  revenge  for  our 
humiliation.  « 

The  young  girls,  or  wives,  were  awe-stricken  at  our  words.  We  had  im- 
pressed upon  their  minds  that  we  were  a  little  above  their  grade  in  life,  and 
that  generally  causes  a  woman  to  submit  to  all  sorts  of  indignities  for  the 
sake  of  position,  but  even  while  we  wera  thus  engaged  we  heard  the  sound 
of  horses'  feet,  and  the  next  moment  Antonio  and  Carlos  Sanchos  burst 
into  the  room,  and  the  first  thing  the  former  did  was  to  knock  down  the  old 
woman,  as  a  slight  relief  for  his  over-charged  feelings,  and  when  she  was 
lying  on  the  floor  the  curses  she  uttered  against  her  amiable  son-in-law  were 
the  most  wonderful  specimens  of  the  Spanish  tongue  that  it  was  ever  my 
misfortune  to  hear. 

"  What  are  you  doing  with  our  wives  ?  "  the  outlaws  asked,  as  they  laid 
their  hands  on  their  knives,  and  drew  them. 

"These  are  old  friends  of  ours,"  the  ladies  said  in  a  pleading  tone. 
"  They  have  only  called  for  a  visit,  and  will  soon  go." 

"  We  spoke  to  the  ladrones,  the  mean  gringos,"  was  the  reply.  "  Let 
them  answer  us." 

"  We  have  no  answer  to  make  to  your  insolent  demands,"  Lewey  cried. 
"  We  know  both  of  you  scoundrels.  There  is  a  price  set  on  your  heads,  so 
oeware  of  capture.  If  the  soldiers  get  on  your  trail  there  will  be  blood 
spilled,  and  you  the  victims." 

"We  will  commence  right  here  if  there  is  blood  to  be  shed,"  the  men  an- 
swered, and  raised  their  knives  to  throw  them  at  us,  but  the  girls  covered 
our  bodies  with  their  own,  and  when  the  weapons  whizzed  through  the  air 
we  did  not  have  a  chance  to  draw  our  pistols,  or  use  our  rifles  in  self 
defence,  or  even  push  the  women  aside,  and  save  them  at  the  expense  of 
our  own  lives.  Anita  and  Engracia  clung  to  us,  and  when  the  knives  sped 


362  Lewey  and  I. 


on  their  way  they  struck  the  girls  near  their  shoulder-blades,  the  steel 
penetrating  to  the  lungs,  and  the  poor  things  fell  to  the  floor  of  the  cabin, 
the  blood  flowing  in  torrents  from  their  wounds. 

"  Dogs  of  Mexicans,  you  have  murdered  your  wives,"  we  shouted,  while 
the  old  woman  made  the  house  ring  with  her  yells  of  horror  and  anguish  at 
the  scene  before  her. 

The  brutes  appeared  dazed  at  the  sight  of  the  innocent  blood  that  met 
their  view.  They  made  a  rush  toward  us,  but  we  struck  them  on  the  sides 
of  their  heads  with  the  barrels  of  our  pistols,  and  down  they  tumbled,  and 
as  we  were  about  to  follow  up  the  victory  in  a  sure  manner,  we  heard  the 
loud  blast  of  a  trumpet,  and  stayed  our  hands,  and  the  shots  that  would 
have  ended  the  career  of  two  noted  villains  were  not  fired,  for  in  the  door- 
way we  saw  the  form  of  Colonel  Fernando,  and  back  of  him  six  of  his 
men. 

"  What  is  the  trouble  here  ? "  asked  the  young  officer.  "  Two  women 
bleeding  to  death,  and  the  Sanchos  brothers  on  the  ground  with  broken 
heads,  and  my  friends  uninjured.  Well,  this  is  a  lucky  day  even  if  it  is 
Friday.  The  saints  be  praised,  I  am  Justin  time  to  take  an  active  part  in 
this  tragedy.  Stop  your  howling,  old  woman.  It  will  not  prevent  the  flow 
of  blood.  Send  the  sergeant  here.  He  knows  something  of  knife  wounds, 
for  he  has  hacked  people  and  been  hacked  more  times  than  he  has  years 
over  his  head.  Let  him  look  at  the  girls'  injuries.  Secure  those  ladrones, 
and  take  them  outside.  They  have  just  fifteen  minutes  to  live,  so  one  of 
you  had  better  go  for  the  priest.  The  girls  will  want  some  of  his  consola- 
tion before  a  great  while,  or  I  am  no  judge  of  the  near  approach  of  death." 

We  could  not  realize  that  the  colonel  was  in  earnest,  but  some  of  the 
cavalry  commenced  binding  the  limbs  of  the  Sanchos  brothers  with  reatas, 
and  in  the  meantime  we  bent  over  the  bodies  of  the  dying  girls,  certain  that 
they  could  live  but  a  short  time,  as  a  change  had  already  taken  place  in 
their  faces,  the  sure  precursor  of  death. 

"  You  forgive  us  for  our  unfaithfulness  ?  "  whispered  Anita.  "We  meant 
to  be  true  and  good,  but  were  pursuaded  to  marry  against  our  wishes.  We 
thought  that  we  should  never  see  you  again.  Every  one  said  you  were  bad 
and  heretics.  But  it  won't  matter  in  the  next  world,  will  it,  what  religion 
we  profess  ?  We  shall  be  near  each  other  in  spite  of  ties  on  earth,  and 
no  one  will  part  us.  It  is  better  as  it  is.  You  would  have  been  ashamed 
of  your  dark-skinned  wife,  and  wished  her  dead,  or  might  have  left  her  to 
mourn  for  your  lost  love.  You  will  kiss  me,  and  say  that  you  forgive  me  for 
the  past,  and  if  you  live  long  think  of  the  many  pleasant  hours  we  had  to- 


Lewey  and  I.  363 


gether,  before  there  were  troubles  in  the  country,  and  men  did  not  persecute 
you  ?  " 

I  kissed  her  dark  face.  She  -  closed  her  eyes,  and  seemed  to  sail  down 
the  river  very  fast,  for  she  did  not  again  look  at  me  or  speak.  Her  breath 
grew  shorter  and  shorter,  and  then  a  shudder  passed  through  her  slight 
form,  and  she  was  gone  to  the  great  unknown  world,  and  when  she  died  her 
sister's  spirit  also  fled  at  the  same  moment,  so  that  in  death  as  in  life  they 
were  not  divided. 

We  covered  the  faces  of  the  dead,  and  went  out-of-doors,  and  as  we 
ciossed  the  threshold  of  the  building  the  priest  was  just  entering  to  admin- 
ister the  last  rites  of  the  church.  He  went  to  the  bodies,  knelt  down  and 
prayed  long  and  earnestly  for  the  repose  of  the  souls  of  the  young  girls, 
and  when  he  came  out  of  the  house  Colonel  Fernando  was  seated  on  a  log, 
smoking  cigarettes,  as  calm  as  the  summer  day  overhead. 

"  Holy  father,"  the  officer  said,  "  administer  the  last  sacrament  to  those 
two  men.  As  soon  as  you  have  finished  they  die." 

"  You  will  not  dare  to  commit  such  an  outrage,"  the  padre  cried.  "  They 
have  had  no  trial,  and  are  not  yet  proved  guilty." 

"  Do  your  duty,  holy  father.  In  ten  minutes  they  die,  law  or  no  law,"  was 
the  stern  command. 

The  priest  bowed  his  head,  and  made  no  further  remonstrance.  He  knew 
what  military  duties  were,  and  how  despotic  commanders  sometimes  acted 
during  martial  law. 

"  Would  it  be  of  any  use  for  me  to  plead  for  the  ladrones  ?  "  asked 
Lewey. 

"  Not  the  slightest,"  and  the  colonel  lighted  a  fresh  cigarette. 

"  I  have  no  intention  of  asking  for  the  lives  of  the  scoundrels,"  Lewey 
said.  "  I  only  spoke  for  information,"  and  the  colonel  smiled,  and  puffed 
out  volumes  of  smoke  through  his  nostrils,  and  playfully  blew  rings  in 
the  air  from  his  lips. 

The  padre  went  to  the  condemned  and  knelt  by  their  sides,  for  they  were 
lying  on  the  ground  securely  bound,  the  hot  July  sun  beating  down  upon 
their  dark,  swarthy  faces,  and  with  every  expression  of  terror  in  their  treach- 
erous eyes. 

"  Colonel,"  the  priest  said,  after  he  had  heard  the  last  confession  the  fel- 
lows were  ever  to  make,  "the  poor  men  have  a  favor  to  ask  of  you.  It  is 
not  a  great  one,  and  should  be  granted  it  seems  to  me." 

"  Name  it,"  and  the  young  officer  scanned  the  heavens  to  see  how  low 
the  sun  was,  and  to  judge  of  the  time  of  day,  and  how  much  light  he  would 


Lewey  and  f, 


have  to  get  back  to  Santa  Barbara.  He  was  the  most  unconcerned  person 
present,  for  Lewey  and  I  and  the  soldiers  were  more  agitated  than  he. 

"  These  men  who  are  about  to  die,"  the  priest  said,  "  desire  to  be  spared 
so  that  they  can  have  time  to  attend  the  funerals  of  their  dear  departed 
wives,  whose  deaths  were  so  sudden  and  unexpected." 

"  Diablo/'  laughed  the  colonel,  "  but  I  must  tell  this  to  General  Castro 
when  I  see  him.  He  is  just  the  kind  of  man  to  enjoy  such  a  joke.  Here 
are  two  ladrones,  who  steal  away  these  gentlemen's  intended  wives  by 
falsehood  and  deception  (I  will  admit  that  I  am  glad  of  it),  and  at  last  mur- 
der them  in  cold  blood,  and  now  wish  to  attend  the  funeral  of  their  victims. 
Well,  this  is  u  good  specimen  of  impudence.  It  is  the  coolest  thing  I  ever 
heard  of.  Sergeant,  place  the  scoundrels  in  position  against  yonder  trees, 
and  give  a  volley  to  each,  I  have  no  more  time  to  waste  on  them." 

The  condemned  uttered  a  howl  of  terror,  and  the  cries  of  the  men,  the 
wailing  of  the  mother  and  other  women,  were  enough  to  unnerve  us,  but  the 
cavalry  leader  did  not  lose  his  composure  for  a  moment.  He  smoked  ci- 
garettes in  numberless  quantities,  and  paid  no  attention  to  the  shrieks  that 
were  going  on  around  him. 

The  fierce  little  sergeant  pounced  upon  the  men,  as  though  he  rather 
liked  the  job  he  had  undertaken.  He  dragged  the  ladrones  to  the  trees  in- 
dicated, lashed  them  in  an  upright  position,  for  the  fellows  did  not  seem 
capable  of  standing  without  help,  so  weak  were  they  in  their  knees,  tore 
away  the  dark  shirts  and  jackets,  exposing  the  hairy  breasts,  then  stepped 
back  and  surveyed  his  work  with  great  satisfaction,  just  as  though  he  \\as 
looking  at  a  picture  he  much  admired,  yet  did  not  quite  approve  of  the 
shading. 

"Pull  his  head  up  a  little,"  the  petty  officer  said  to  one  of  his  subordi- 
nates. "  He  droops  somewhat,  and  I  fear  the  men's  aim  will  be  destroyed. 
Ah,  that  is  better.  Now  slue  him  around  so  that  he  will  show  a  fair  front. 
Punch  him  in  the  ribs  if  he  don't  move  fast  enough.  Well  that.  It  could 
not  be  better  for  a  sharp  volley.  Don't,  howl  that  way,  you  loco.  It  looks 
to  me  as  though  you  had  no  confidence  in  the  saints  or  a  blissful  hereafter. 
In  the  city  of  Mexico  I  have  seen  ten  men  shot  before  breakfast,  and  all  of 
them  put  together  did  not  make  as  much  of  a  row  as  you  are  doing.  Con- 
found you,  shut  up  that  groaning  and  lamenting.  It  is  enough  to  make  me 
:.ick.  You  don't  seem  to  appreciate  the  honor  of  being  shot  by  some  of  the 
best  cavalrymen  in  California.  What  do  you  say  ?  Tell  us  all  to  go  to  the 
hot  place.  Why,  you  ungrateful  scoundrels,  now  I  don't  care  if  my  men  do 
mangle  you.  Five  of  you  form  in  line,  and  take  the  fellow  on  the  right,  and 


Lewey  and  I. 


five  of  you  hit  the  one  on  the  left.  Now  then,  are  you  pretty  comfortable  ? 
You  a'n't  ?  Well,  whose  fault  is  it  ?  " 

For  the  life  of  me  I  could  not  keep  my  eyes  off  the  execution,  although  I 
dreaded  to  see  it,  and  at  the  same  time  was  amused  at  the  coolness  and 
composure  of  the  sergeant,  who  seemed  to  be  enjoying  himself  at  the  ex- 
pense of  others.  The  colonel  still  sat  on  a  stump,  smoked  cigarettes,  and 
did  not  betray  any  impatience  at  the  delay.  The  scene  reminded  me  of  the 
time  when  Fernando  was  simply  a  captain,  and  hanged  a  man  on  the  route 
from  San  Luis  Obispo  to  Monterey  for  attempted  murder. 

"  All  ready,  colonel,"  said  the  fierce  little  sergeant,  turning  and  saluting 
his  commander,  with  an  eager  look  on  his  face. 

';  Go  on  with  your  execution,"  remarked  the  young  officer,  and  lighted  a 
fresh  cigarette. 

The  sergeant  threw  a  piece  of  blanket  over  the  condemned  men's  heads, 
stepped  one  side,  removed  his  hat,  and  said,  — 

"  When  I  drop  my  sombrero  fire,  and  don't  throw  away  a  shot  like  a 
gringo." 

I  turned  my  head,  and  looked  at  the  priest,  who  was  on  his  knees  pray- 
ing for  those  who  were  dead  and  about  to  die. 

There  was  an  irregular  volley,  for  the  crack  cavalrymen  could  not  fire 
with  precision  and  regularity,  some  terrible  groans,  and  then  all  was  still. 
The  good  padre  prayed  silently  for  the  dead,  and  the  enemies  of  the  dead, 
while  the  women  fainted,  and  tumbled  down  in  all  directions,  and  Jack,  our 
dog,  sat  on  his  haunches,  lifted  up  his  head,  and  howled  as  though  mourn- 
ing for  the  flight  of  two  evil  spirits  to  the  gates  of  eternity,  to  trouble  us  no 
more. 

Lewey  watched  the  scene  to  the  last.  It  seemed  to  have  a  strange  fasci- 
nation for  him,  and  the  last  time  I  saw  him,  just  after  the  Prussian  war, -he 
recalled  the  circumstances  of  the  military  execution  at  Ranche  Refugio,  and 
said  that  while  some  communists  in  Paris  were  being  shot,  his  thoughts  went 
back  to  his  early  days,  and  strangely  enough  the  deaths  of  the  two  Mex- 
icans were  uppermost  in  his  mind,  for  some  of  the  victims  of  his  loyal  sail- 
ors were  swarthy  as  Spaniards,  and  resembled  the  two  Sanchos  in  features 
and  height  and  vindictiveness  of  disposition. 

"  Dead,  colonel,"  reported  the  little  black  sergeant,  with  a  wave  of  his 
hand,  as  though  he  had  done  a  good  thing,  and  was  proud  of  it. 

"  All  right.  Dig  two  graves  and  bundle  them  in.  Or  stay.  One  hole 
will  be  enough  for  both.  Senors,  let  us  mount,  and  ride  down  to  pay  a  visit 
to  some  pretty  young  ladies  who  live  near  here.  Our  escort  can  join  us 


366  Lewey  and  I. 


there.  I  am  tired  of  hearing  these  women  yell  and  scream  so  loud,"  and 
the  colonel  motioned  to  his  orderly  to  bring  up  the  horses. 

"  Holy  father,"  I  saiJ,  as  the:  colonel  rode  away,  while  Lewey  and  I  lin- 
gered behind  to  take  a  farewell  look  at  the  faces  of  the  dead  girls,  "  if  we 
had  known  each  other  better  all  this  might  have  been  avoided,  and  the  wo- 
men would  now  be  alive  and  happy.'' 

"It  is  the  will  of  God,  my  son,  and  destined  to  happen.  We  cannot 
escape  the  fixed  rules  of  the  universe,  strive  as  we  may.  I  am  sorry,  my 
son,  for  the  past.  Let  us  be  more  wise  in  the  future.  I  wish  that  I  had 
known  you  better.  I  should  have  been  less  prejudiced  against  you,  I  think, 
from  what  I  have  this  day  seen.  Take  my  blessing  and  go." 

He  raised  his  hands  over  us,  and  then  was  about  to  turn  away,  but  I  de- 
tained him  for  a  moment. 

"  Father,"  I  said,  "  the  mother  of  the  girls  is  poor,  is  she  not  ?  " 

"  She  is  poverty  itself,  my  son." 

"  Then  take  these  two  golden  ounces,  see  that  the  women  are  decently 
interred,  pay  for  a  mass  for  the  repose  of  their  souls,  and  donate  the  bal- 
ance of  the  money  to  the  parent.  If  you  will  do  this  we  shall  feel  as  though 
we  had  made  some  atonement  for  the  past." 

"  The  atonement  for  the  past  is  in  God's  own  hands,  my  son,  and  to  him 
must  all  application  for  pardon  be  made.  You  and  your  friend  should  pray 
for  forgiveness,  confess,  and  strive  to  be  better  in  the  future.  Go,  my  son, 
and  thank  the  saints  it  is  no  worse.  I  may  riot  speak  of  things  which  the 
confessional  holds  as  sacred,  but  of  this  be  assured,  the  poor  children 
loved  both  of  you  devotedly,  and  it  was  wrong  on  your  part  to  win  their 
affections." 

"  But  we  were  honorable  in  our  intended  marriage,  holy  father." 

"  Perhaps  you  were,  but  the  poor  girls  would  soon  have  suffered  from 
your  neglect.  Desertion  follows  incompatability.  The  wise  and  the  igno- 
rant should  not  mate.  You  can  read  and  write.  The  girls  who  are  now 
lying  dead  could  do  neither.  They  knew  not  the  meaning  of  a  single  letter, 
and  had  no  accomplishments  except  that  of  the  dance." 

"  But  we  could  have  taught  them,  holy  father,  as  much  as  we  know  our- 
selves." * 

"Vain  delusion,  my  son.  Such  things  are  not  to  ba  in  this  world.  As 
lovers  you  are  devoted,  and  exercise  all  due  patience  with  each  other.  As 
husband  and  wife  the  teaching  becomes  a  bore,  and  there  are  sharp  an- 
swers instead  of  explanations  for  the  purpose  of  unfolding  the  mind.  If  a 
lover  is  to  be  a  teacher  he  must  be  kept  in  the  position  of  a  lover,  and  not 


Lewey  and  /. 


a  favored  one  at  that.  All  interest  ceases  at  marriage,  and  blessed  is  the 
woman  who  can  retain  the  heart  and  devotion  of  a  man  six  months  after 
a  union.  The  laws  of  my  church  forbid  a  priest  to  wed.  The  provision  is 
a  wise  one,  for  if  we  had  family  matters  to  look  after  there  would  not  be 
much  time  for  parochial  affairs.  But  we  see  with  open  eyes  all  the  domes- 
tic relations  of  life,  and  so  judge  as  we  look,  regretting,  yet  unable  to  apply 
any  remedies  except  the  best  of  advice,  and  that  is  rarely  taken  by  either 
party.  Yes,  it  was  a  cruel  thing  for  two  young  senors  like  you  to  win  the 
love  of  those  girls.  But  go,  and  God  go  with  you." 

He  again  extended  his  arms,  and  we  uncovered  our  heads,  and  were 
blessed,  and  then  mounting  our  patient  horses  rode  toward  the 
house  of  the  pretty  sisters,  and  as  we  passed  on  our  way  saw  a  number  of 
peons  throwing  dirt  into  a  shallow  grave,  and  the  fierce  little  sergeant  was 
sitiing  under  the  shade  of  an  apple-tree  damning  them  in  no  measured 
terms,  and  smoking  cigarettes.  We  looked  back  and  saw  the  good  priest 
watching  our  departure,  and  when  he  saw  us  turn  in  our  saddles  waved  his 
hand  in  token  of  farewell,  and  that  was  the  last  we  ever  saw  of  the  padre  or 
of  Ranche  Refugio. 

We  found  our  colonel  enjoying  himself  in  the  company  of  the  two  pretty 
sisters.  One  of  the  latter  was  thumbing  a  guitar,  and  singing  a  love  song, 
while  their  military  visitor  did  not  seem  in  the  least  dismayed  by  the  trage- 
dies he  had  witnessed  during  the  afternoon. 

"  Come  in,  caballeros,"  he  said  when  we  stopped  opposite  the  door,  and 
as  we  entered  the  commodious  adobe  house  were  formally  presented  to  the 
young  ladies,  and  very  gracious  they  were  to  us.  We  did  not  allude  to  the 
murders  back  of  the  vineyards,  so  there  was  no  occasion  for  a  cloud  to 
cover  the  handsome  faces  of  the  girls.  The  colonel  seemed  to  have  for- 
gotten all  about  the  circumstance,  if  we  could  judge  by  the  laughter  he  in- 
dulged in. 

The  young  ladies  put  some  bottles  of  cheap  native  wine  on  the  table,  a 
lot  of  dark  bread,  and  nice  fruit,  and  after  we  had  partaken  of  the  refresh- 
ments the  colonel  waltzed  with  one  of  the  girls,  and  the  other  played  on  a 
guitar.  The  young  officer  was  a  very  good  dancer,  and  entered  into  the 
spirit  of  the  movements  with  a  zest  that  did  him  credit,  but  we  were  not  in- 
clined to  be  lively,  and  so  declined  the  invitation  to  once  more  hold  the 
girls  in  our  arms  as  of  yore.  We  thought  it  was  a  little  too  soon  to  throw 
our  grief  to  the  winds,  and  forget  the  deaths  of  poor  Anita  and  Engracia, 
who  might  have  been  our  wives  if  circumstances  had  been  favorable  for 
the  union. 


Leivey  and  I. 


Presently  the  tramp  of  horses'  feet  and  the  clanging  of  sabres  showed 
that  our  escort  was  at  the  door.  We  drank  a  glass  of  wine  to  the  health 
and  happiness  of  the  pretty  sisters,  kissed  their  hands  in  gallant  style, 
mounted  our  horses,  and  left  the  place,  and  as  we  filed  out  of  the  ravine 
the  ladies  stood  at  the  door  of  their  house,  waved  their  scarfs,  and  smiled  a 
sweet  smile  at  the  colonel,  whose  handsome  face  had  touched  their  hearts, 
I  have  no  doubt,  for  he  married  one  of  the  girls  some  months  later,  when 
peace  was  declared,  and  had  a  bride  that  any  man  could  be  proud  of.  What 
became  of  the  elder  sister  I  never  knew.  I  hoped  she  fared  as  well.  We 
never  saw  them  or  the  place  again. 

"  Colonel,"  I  said,  as  we  gained  the  mesa  land,  "how  did  you  happen  to 
be  present  just  as  we  needed  you  most  ?  " 

"  Senors,"  he  replied,  with  a  blush  and  a  laugh,  "  you  are  not  the  only 
persons  in  California  who  have  had  love  affairs  on  their  hands.  Soon  after 
you  left  Santa  Barbara  this  morning  I  learned  from  one  of  our  spies  that 
the  Sanchos  brothers  were  here,  and  had  married  your  girls.  I  feared  that 
you  would  meet  with  trouble  at  their  hands,  so  determined  to  kill  two  birds 
with  one  stone,  do  a  little  love-making  on  my  own  account,  and  bring  to 
justice  the  most  notorious  scoundrels  in  the  country.  General  Castro  au- 
thorized me  to  seize  the  fellows  wherever  found,  and  shoot  them  on  sight. 
I  have  attended  to  my  duty,  and  now  go  back  to  camp  with  the  thought 
that  justice  has  been  done." 

"And  your  conscience  does  not  reproach  you  for  the  shooting?"  I 
asked. 

The  colonel  smiled. 

"  Senors,  a  soldier  should  be  destitute  of  such  a  thing.  He  must  obey 
orders  no  matter  what  they  are.  Vamos,"  and  striking  his  horse  with  his 
heavy  spurs  we  dashed  forward  along  the  road  that  wound  about  the  beach, 
and  drew  rein  just  at  sundown,  and  as  we  dismounted  Senora  Costello  came 
toward  us. 

"  You  have  returned  unmarried  ?  "  she  asked,  as  she  smiled  on  us. 

"  Our  intended  brides  are  dead,"  Lewey  remarked  in  a  loxv,  sad  tone. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  it,"  was  the  careless  comment,  and  as  the  lady  spoke 
she  laid  a  hand  on  my  arm,  and  said,  — 

"  Did  you  love  her  very  much,  my  friend  ?  " 

"  I  thought  so,"  was  my  response. 

"And  now?  " 

"  Perhaps  I  have  seen  one  whom  I  love  better,"  and  I  sighed  as  the  hana 
was  withdrawn,  and  the  sigh  was  re-echood  as  the  lady  gathered  her  dark 


Lewey  and  I. 


mantilla  around  face  and  shoulders,  and  entered  the  house,  and  I  saw  her 
no  more  that  night. 

"  In  de  name  of  de  saints,"  Lewey  exclaimed,  "  do  not  make  de  love  to 
dat  lady.  She  is  a  married  voman,  and  our  admiration  bring  de  ruin  and 
disaster  on  all  dat  ve  meet.  Let  but  de  sign  be  seen  dat  you  is  sweet  on 
her  and  de  life  you  nas  von't  be  voith  much.  Serve  her  if  you  vill,  but 
keep  de  varmth  for  some  von  else.  Imitate  me,  and  be  cold  and  distant." 

I  looked  at  the  young  man  with  admiration  for  his  impudence,  and  then 
without  a  word  of  explanation  we  gave  our  mustangs  to  a  peon  servant,  for 
Colonel  Fernando  had  detailed  an  Indian  to  look  after  our  horses,  and  just 
as  we  entered  the  house  where  we  were  quartered  the  trumpets  rang  out  a 
blast  for  evening  parade,  and  the  young  ladies  of  the  town  hastened  to  the 
plaza,  to  get  a  glimpse  of  the  graceful  commander  of  the  cavalry,  and  to 
strive  to  attract  his  attention  by  many  a  fan  flirtation  and  flash  of  dark 
eyes. 

We  ate  our  suppers  in  silence,  then  wrapped  scrapes  around  our  shoul- 
ders, lighted  pipes,  and  strolled  down  to  the  beach.  Jack  started  to  go  with 
us,  then  thought  of  the  long  run  that  he  had  during  the  day,  gave  us  an  ap- 
pealing glance,  hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  returned  to  the  house, 
curled  himself  up  on  the  horse-blankets,  and  went  to  sleep.  We  did  not 
blame  him  for  refusing  to  accompany  us,  but  it  was  the  first  time  such  a 
thing  had  occurred. 

We  halted  opposite  Don  Noriego's  house,  where-  many  of  the  officers 
were  congregated,  enjoying  the  usual  evening's  teU-a-tete  and  music,  and 
then  pushed  on,  for  we  did  not  care  to  join  the  company,  our  thoughts 
were  too  sorrowful  for  useless  ciiatter,  and  when  we  reached  the  beach  sat 
down  on  the  damp  sand  and  looked  off  upon  the  bay  and  the  rolling  surf, 
and  our  minds  once  more  went  back  to  our  hide-droghing  days  and  boating 
duty.  Neither  of  us  spoke,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  Lewey's  thoughts 
were  like  my  own  with  the  past,  and  all  the  strange,  wild  life  we  had  wit- 
nessed since  we  left  our  ship. 

From  this  reverie  we  were  aroused  by  rough  hands  being  placed  upon 
our  necks  and  arms,  and  then  the  cold  muzzles  of  pistols  were  pointed  at 
our  heads,  and  a  stern-voiced  man  said  in  poor  Spanish,  — 

"  If  you  make  the  least  noise  I  '11  blow  your  brains  out.  Answer  me  a 
few  questions,  and  ou  shall  not  be  harmed/' 

"  My  friend,"  I  said,  in  the  coolest  tone  I  could  assume,  and  glancing 
around  saw  that  we  were  .surrounded  by  half  a  dozen  Yankee  man-of-war 
sailors,  and  that  an  officer  was  holding  cne  of  the  pistols  in  close  proximity 


37°  Lewey  and  I. 


to  my  head,  and  a  middy  was  paying  the  same  attention  to  Lewey,  who,  in 
spite  of  the  surprise,  was  still  puffing  away  at  his  pipe  in  cool  contempt  of 
all  danger,  "do  you  not  think  that  it  would  be  better  to  converse  in  Eng- 
lish. We  should  understand  each  other  a  little  better." 

"The  devil,"  the  officer  said,  and  lowered  his  pistol,  "do  you  speak 
English  ?  " 

"  Well,  sir,  it  comes  more  convenient  than  Spanish,  as  a  general  thing, 
for  we  make  awful  botches  of  the  latter  tongue  sometimes,  unless  it  is  all 
plain  sailing." 

"  I  thought  you  were  greasers,"  the  commander  of  the  squad  said.  "  You 
are  dressed  in  Mexican  costume." 

"That  proves  nothing.  We  supposed  the  navy  was  officered  by  gentle- 
men, and  that  they  were  not  inclined  to  offer  rudeness  to  people  minding 
their  own  business.  We  were  both  mistaken,  that  is  all." 

"  Don't  be  impudent,"  the  officer  remarked.  "  We  must  take  life  and 
prisoners  as  we  find  them.  We  want  your  company  for  a  few  hours  on 
board  our  vessel." 

*'  Indeed,  and  for  what  purpose  ?  " 

"  Information  which  I  think  you  can  give.  I  suspect  that  you  are  an 
American,"  the  officer  said. 

"  You  have  not  mis-stayed  this  time.  I  am  an  American,  and  this  gentle- 
man, my  friend,  is  French.  Now  what  do  you  desire  to  know?  We  do  not 
intend  to  leave  the  shore  tonight  to  visit  any  vessel." 

"  Do  not  be  too  sure  of  that,  my  friend,"  the  officer  said  with  a  laugh. 
"  We  are  strong  enough  to  take  you,  and  shall." 

"  You  are  over-confident,  sir.  One  word  from  us  and  you  could  not  move 
two  fathoms  from  the  beach  without  being  surrounded  by  cavalry.  Even 
now  you  are  hemmed  in  on  all  sides  except  the  water,  and  cannot  escape 
unless  you  have  the  countersign.  You  can  shoot  us  as  we  sit  here,  but 
that  is  not  customary  among  civilized  nations.  Murder  it  would  be  called 
before  a  court-martial." 

"  But  we  can  knock  you  on  the  head,  and  then  take  you,"  was  the  sullen 
rejoinder,  "and  I  am  not  sure  but  we  shall  do  it  if  you  continue  to  give  me 
any  more  lip." 

"  De  lip  is  not  all  on  von  side,  sir,"  Lewey  remarked,  speaking  for  the 
first  time,  although  he  had  manifested  a  strong  desire  to  break  in  for  some 
minutes  past.  "  Ve  is  gentlemen,  and  in  no  vay  liable  to  answer  questions. 
I  am,  sir,  de  French  consul  for  California,  and  dis  is  de  American  consul. 
Mr.  Larkin." 


Lewey  and  I.  37  r 


I  was  speechless  with  amazement  at  the  audacity  of  the  lad.  The  night 
was  dark,  and  the  naval  officer  could  not  well  see  our  youthful  faces,  hidden 
as  they  were  by  the  scrapes,  so  the  story  was  liable  to  be  believed. 

"  Say  not  a  word,"  Lewey  whispered  in  French.  "  Let  me  manage  this 
for  you.  Impudence  must  tell  here,  or  we  will  be  on  board  of  a  frigate  in 
less  than  an  hour,  and  then  the  saints  only  know  what  will  become  of  us." 

"  Paidon  me,  gentlemen,"  the  naval  officer  said,  as  he  stepped  back, 
raised  his  cap,  and  replaced  his  pistol  in  a  belt.  "  I  did  not  know  your  of- 
ficial positions  or  I  should  have  spoken  in  a  different  tone.  But  in  the  first 
place  I  thought  that  Mr.  Larkin,  our  consul,  was  at  Monterey,  his  usual 
station." 

"  So  I  was,  sir,  but  a  few  days  since.  Official  business  called  me  here, 
and  the  French  consul,  Monsieur  Lewey,  who  has  just  been  landed  from  a 
line-of-battle  ship,  wanted  to  see  the  country,  so  came  to  this  place  in  my 
company." 

The  mention  of  a  line-of-battle  ship  has  a  great  influence  on  a  naval  of- 
ficer. The  stranger  bowed  lower  than  ever,  as  he  said,  — 

"  I  have  heard  of  Mr.  Larkin.  but  this  is  the  first  time  I  was  ever  notified 
of  a  French  consul  being  stationed  on  the  coast.  I  suppose  it  is  on  ac- 
count of  our  war  with  Mexico." 

"  Yes,  on  dat  account  entirely,"  hastily  remarked  Lewey.  "My  king  tell 
me  so  hisself." 

This  was  pretty  strong,  and  I  wondered  the  officer  did  not  discover  the 
lie,  but  he  might  not  have  been  up  in  court  etiquette.  Perhaps  he  really 
thought  King  Louis  Philippe  of  France  held  personal  interviews  with  his 
foreign  representatives,  and  gave  them  instructions. 

"Now,  sir,"  I  said,  as  the  officer  recovered  his  composure,  "you  will 
please  tell  me  what  you  are  doing  ashore  at  this  time  of  night,  and  in  a  hos- 
tile country  ?  Do  you  know  that  if  discovered  your  life  would  not  be  worth 
a  medio  ? " 

"  We  have  taken  the  chances,  sir."  was  the  answer.  "  My  men  are  well 
armed,  and  will  sell  their  lives  very  dearly,  or  would  resist  capture  to  the 
last.  Our  commodore  is  desirous  of  learning  a  little  about  the  present  state 
of  affairs  here,  and  so  sent  us  on  shore  after  dark.  Our  boat  is  anchored 
just  outside  of  the  rollers,  off  Point  Arena,  and  will  wait  there  until  we  re- 
turn with  what  information  we  can  pick  up.  Had  you  been  greasers  we 
should  have  taken  you  to  the  frigate,  and  obtained  all  the  news  we  desired 
by  the  aid  of  money  and  judicious  squeezing.  Now  we  hope  you  will  en- 
lighten us  as  soon  as  possible." 


3/2  Lewey  and  /. 


"What  is  the  name  of  your  frigate,  and  who  is  your  commodore  ?"  I 
asked. 

"  The  frigate  Congress,  Commodore  Stockton,  who  is  ordered  to  the  su- 
preme command  of  the  squadron  and  the  country,"  was  the  answer.  "  The 
ship  is  lying  about  four  miles  from  shore,  bound  to  Monterey.  We  en- 
tered the  canal  this  afternoon,  and  hope  to  be  well  on  our  way  at  day- 
light." 

"And  may  I  ask  your  official  position,  sir?  "  I  demanded,  with  a  careless 
indifference  that  I  by  no  means  felt,  for  if  the  man  discovered  the  imposi- 
tion he  would  have  made  it  lively  for  us. 

"I  am  the  third  lieutenant  of  the  Congress,  sir,"  was  the  answer,  "  and 
this  is  Mr.  Hapgood,  one  of  our  midshipmen." 

We  bowed  to  the  middy,  and  then  I  said,  — 

"  Give  Mr.  Larkin's  regards  to  the  commodore,  and  say  how  pleased  he 
will  be  to  meet  him  at  Monterey  when  he  returns.  Report  that  the  frigates 
Cumberland  and  Independence  are  in  port,  and  that  California  has  been  for- 
mally taken  possession  of  by  Commodore  Sloat.  You  can  also  mention  the 
fact  that  Captain  Fremont  is  in  the  North,  and  that  there  will  not  be  much 
fighting  on  the  land,  and  none  at  sea.  That  is  all  the  information  we  can 
impart  with  the  exception  that  General  Castro  is  here  in  Santa  Barbara, 
and  has  some  good  men  under  his  command.  Now  get  back  to  your  boat 
as  soon  as  possible,  for  if  the  patrol  should  find  you  here  it  would  be  bad 
for  us  and  you  also." 

Just  as  I  finished  speaking  we  could  hear  the  loud,  ringing  blasts  of 
trumpets,  and  through  the  darkness  saw  a  party  of  horsemen  coming  along 
the  beach  from  the  direction  of  Buenaventura. 

"  Run  for  your  lives,"  Lewey  and  I  whispered.  "  Here  comes  the  patrol. 
If  they  see  you  there  will  be  a  devil  of  a  row  and  no  mis'ake." 

The  naval  officer  and  his  men  did  not  stop  for  further  advice.  They  ran 
along  the  shore  toward  Point  Arena,  while  Lewey  and  I  darted  for  the 
town,  then  threw  ourselves  in  the  tall,  salt  grass  that  fringed  the  beach,  and 
remained  concealed  until  the  cavalry  passed  by.  We  heard  some  words 
of  challenge,  a  few  shots,  a  shrill  yell,  as  if  some  one  was  wounded,  and 
then  left  the  shelter  of  the  chapparel,  and  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  mis- 
sion on  the  hill,  so  that  people  would  not  suspect  we  came  from  the  visual 
landing-place  if  we  met  any  one  before  gaining  the  town. 

Just  as  we  came  to  a  post  where  some  of  our  men  were  quartered  the 
long  roll  was  beaten,  half  a  dozen  trumpets  sounded  to  arms,  and  then  off 
Point  Arena,  more  than  three  miles  from  land,  we  saw  a  blue  light  burned, 


Lewey  and  I.  373 


and  into  the  air  leaped  a  rocket,  which  exploded,  and  revealed  red  white  and 
blue  stars.  It  was  a  signal  of  recall  for  the  boat  and  crew,  but  we  feared 
that  some  of  the  latter  would  never  reach  the  ship  if  the  Mexicans  were 
aroused  and  cut  off  their  retreat.  We  had  not  cared  to  remain  and  help  the 
sailors,  for  if  we  had  been  discovered  holding  communication  with  an  ene- 
my a  short  prayer  and  a  sharp  volley  would  have  settled  our  part  of  the 
programme  at  daylight  the  next  morning.  General  Castro  did  not  allow 
any  trifling  with  the  Americans  by  his  friends. 

Just  as  we  gained  our  quarters  the  colonel  was  mounting  his  horse  to  get 
the  men  in  line. 

"  I  wish  you  two  would  go  to  the  beach  and  see  what  the  trouble  is  all 
about,"  the  colonel  said.  "  I  can't  trust  some  of  these  fellows.  They  re- 
port that  a  thousand  men  have  landed  on  the  shore,  and  are  marching  to- 
ward the  town.  Take  as  many  men  as  you  desire,  and  scout  all  along  the 
beach,  and  let  me  know  what  is  up." 

We  thought  that  here  was  a  chance  to  distinguish  ourselves,  as  no  par- 
ties were  better  qualified  for  the  expedition  than  Lewey  and  I,  as  we  knew 
just  what  to  expect,  where  to  look  for  a  foe,  and  how  strong  it  was.  We 
promised  compliance  with  the  request,  and  no  one  in  the  ranks  suspected 
for  a  moment  that  we  had  been  holding  a  conference  with  the  enemy. 

We  mounted  our  horses,  called  for  a  dozen  men,  and  then  galloped  to- 
ward the  beach.  As  we  passed  through  the  town  men  and  women  were  al- 
ready on  their  way  to  the  mountains  so  as  to  escape  all  danger  from  a 
blood  thirsty  enemy.  There  was  hasty  packing  of  jewels  ard  good  clothing 
for  transportation  to  some  safe  place  where  the  Yankees  could  not  find  and 
appropriate  them  as  their  own.  Once  or  twice  I  heard  the  name  of  Fre- 
mont, as  if  he  and  his  trappers  had  made  a  descent  on  the  village,  but  this 
was  not  generally  believed,  for  our  men  stood  firm,  and  did  not  strike  for 
the  mountains,  as  they  might  have  done  had  the  report  been  true. 

We  dashed  to  the  usual  landing-place,  where  we  knew  we  should  find  no 
one,  and  then  hearing  a  commotion  near  Point  Arena  went  there,  and  saw 
that  the  Americans  were  just  embarking  in  their  boat  through  the  surf,  and 
the  Mexicans  were  making  it  warm  for  them  by  firing  volleys  from  their 
carbines.  As  the  horses  were  a  little  unsteady,  owing  to  the  discharge  of 
fire-arms,  no  good  aim  could  be  taken,  consequently  my  countrymen  were 
not  much  injured.  But  there  was  danger  of  the  cutter  being  capsized  in 
the  surf,  and  if  such  was  the  case  all  hands  would  be  captured,  and  dealt 
with  in  a  severe  manner, 

"  Amigos,"  I  said  as  I  rode  up,  "let  us  not  waste  our  time  here  with  this 


374  Lewey  and  I. 


one  boat  when  there  are  so  many  others  about  to  land  and  capture  the  town. 
Besides,  if  the  ship  should  fire  one  of  her  heavy  guns  in  our  direction 
many  of  us  might  be  killed,  as  this  point  is  an  exposed  place." 

Luck  was  on  my  side  just  then,  for  the  Congress  let  drive  a  shot  at  the 
land,  where  the  scene  was  lighted  up  by  the  flash  of  carbines,  and  a  ball 
passed  over  our  heads,  so  close  that  we  were  nearly  knocked  down  by  the 
windage,  and  our  hats  flew  in  all  directions,  so  great  was  the  current. 

The  attention  of  the  officers  of  the  frigate  had  been  attracted  by  the  fir- 
ing on  shore,  and  fearing  the  crew  of  the  cutter  were  in  danger  a  chance 
shot  was  hurled  toward  the  land,  with  an  elevation  sufficient  to  clear  the 
water,  and  not  injure  the  sailors.  It  came  just  right,  and  at  the  proper 
time. 

"  Down  to  the  beach,"  Lewey  and  I  shouted.  "  The  next  shot  may  be  a 
shell,  and  kill  the  whole  of  us.  Let  these  men  go  while  we  look  after  the 
others." 

There  was  a  general  compliance  with  the  order,  and  no  grumbling.  As 
we  turned  to  leave  the  seaman  to  get  through  the  surf  the  best  way  they 
could  another  solid  shot  was  discharged,  struck  the  sand-hill,  and  threw 
more  than  a  cart-load  of  gravel  all  over  us,  some  of  it  lodging  in  the  men's 
eyes,  causing  much  needless  profanity. 

We  did  not  wait  for  a  third  discharge,  but  got  off  that  high  bluff  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  rode  along  the  beach,  and  as  we  did  so  the  Yankees  in  the 
boat  gave  three  cheers,  and  then  had  the  impudence  to  yell  out,  — 

"  Come  on,  you  bloody  greasers.  We  can  lick  a  million  of  you,"  and 
with  the  words  they  went  through  the  surf,  and  were  out  of  harm's  way  in 
a  short  time,  for  how  could  we  accept  the  challenge  to  "  come  on  "  when  we 
had  no  boat,  and  could  not  walk  the  water  ? 

For  a  mile  along  the  beach  we  went  looking  for  imaginary  enemies,  but 
found  none,  as  a  matter  of  course,  and  then,  after  seeing  the  frigate  burn  a 
blue  light  to  show  her  position  to  the  cutter's  crew,  we  went  back  to  town, 
and  reported  to  the  colonel  that  our  men  had  beaten  off  a  large  number  of 
enemies,  and  performed  such  feats  of  valor  that  Homer  would  have  de- 
lighted to  record  them  had  he  been  alive  at  the  time,  and  capable  of  grasp- 
ing the  situation. 

Of  course  this  pleased  all  who  were  engaged  in  the  attack,  officers  and 
men,  and  General  Castro  issued  an  order  thanking  us  for  the  energy  and 
bravery  we  had  displayed,  and  the  young  girls  smiled  on  us,  and  sang  their 
most  fascinating  songs  for  our  entertainment.  One  crazy-headed,  long- 
haired poet  wrote  some  lines  for  the  cavalry  on  the  strength  of  the  night's 


Lewey  and  I.  375 


doings,  and  I  remember  it  was  very  popular  at  the  time.    A  translation 
reads  something  like  this,  — 

"  See  the  heroes  crushing,  rushing, 
See  their  swords  for  blood  are  thirsting. 
Now  the  gringos  they  must  run, 
For  the  Mexican  with  his  gun 
Shoots  all  who  on  our  soil  do  land, 
And  for  Yankees  care  not  a caramba." 

This  is  as  near  as  I  can  come  to  the  original.  The  poet  is  not  alive  at 
the  present  day,  but  some  of  his  descendants  are,  and  flourish  not  only  in 
this  part  of  the  world  but  in  California.  The  race  never  dies  out,  more  is 
the  pity. 

The  next  day  Pedro,  our  old  friend  the  correo,  arrived  with  important 
despatches  from  Los  Angeles,  and  then  came  an  order  for  the  cavalry  to 
move  immediately  on  the  town,  take  possession,  and  hold  the  place  against 
all  comers. 

Colonel  Fernando  was  detailed  to  go,  and  General  Flores  was  to  assume 
supreme  command  of  all  the  forces  assembled.  We  were  invited  to  move 
with  the  rest  of  the  valiant  warriors,  and  as  we  had  nothing  better  to  rio 
consented  to  march  with  our  young  friend,  and  look  after  his  weHare. 
But  before  we  started  I  had  a  short  interview  with  Senora  Costello,  and  a 
painful  one  it  was  on  both  sides,  something  never  to  be  forgotten  on  my 
part,  and  remembered  for  many  years  by  the  lady  I  suppose,  although  I 
never  heard  from  her  or  her  secret  thoughts  after  I  left  the  coast.  But  if 
she  is  alive  I  should  like  to  meet  her  once  more,  and  talk  over  old  times 
and  old  adventures.  It  would  be  worth  a  trip  to  California  to  speak  with 
her  but  for  a  moment. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

I  BID  SENORA  COSTELLO  FAREWELL,  AND  HAVE  NO  COMMENTS  TO  MAKE. 
—  THE  MARCH  TO  LOS  ANGELES.  —  THE  BATTLE  AND  ITS  RESULTS. — 
ON  THE  ROUTE  TO  SAN  DIEGO.  —  A  LUCKY  FIND  OF  GOLD.  —  A  DIS- 
APPOINTMENT ALL  ROUND.  —  SAN  DIEGO.  —  SCOTCH  JACK  GIVES  US  A 
RECEPTION.  —  A  UNITED  STATES  FLEET.  —  OFF  FOR  MAZATLAND.  — 
HOME  AT  LAST.  —  LEWEY'S  BEAUTIFUL  SISTER.  —  A  HAPPY  LIFE  AND 
A  DARK  CLOUD.  —  THE  END. 

TT  was  Colonel  Fernando  who  informed  me  that  his  pretty  little  sister, 
•*•  Senora  Costello,  desired  to  see  me  before  we  left  Santa  Barbara  for  Los 
Angeles,  and  although  I  had  no  wish  for  the  interview,  and  would  have 
avoided  it,  there  was  no  reason  why  I  should  act  impolitely  and  decline  the 
invitation  to  call  and  exchange  a  few  parting  words  with  one  who  had 
always  treated  me  with  so  much  respect  and  consideration  for  several 
months.  I  did  not  dare  to  analyze  my  feelings  to.vard  the  lady,  for  she  was 
a  married  woman,  a  devoted  mother,  and  her  relatives  were  high  in  the  con- 
fidence of  the  government,  rich  and  influential,  proud  and  despotic. 

"Now,"  said  Lewey,  as  I  started  on  the  way,  "do  not  a  fool  you  make  of 
yernself.  Be  like  me,  cold  and  distant,  and  remember  dat  ve  has  de  repu- 
tation to  keep  up." 

I  took  no  notice  of  the  impudent  young  man,  but  went  to  the  house 
where  the  lady  was  lesiding  with  her  husband.  She  received  me  in  a  cor- 
dial manner,  invited  me  to  take  a  seat  by  her  side,  as  she  was  all  alone, 
and  said,  — 

"  Do  you  leave  today  with  the  regiment  ?  " 

"  Yes,  senora,  in  a  few  hours  we  shall  be  on  our  way." 

"  And  when  do  you  expect  to  return  to  Santa  Barbara  ? " 

"  Perhaps  never.     We  think  of  going  to  San  Diego,  and  from  there  take 


Lewey  and  I.  377 


the  first  vessel  for  home.  Our  life  in  this  country  has  been  one  series  of 
disappointments.  We  are  tired  of  fighting  against  fate  and  without 
hope/' 

"  I  am  glad  you  are  going,  and  trust  you  will  never  return.  Today  we 
see  each  other  for  the  last  time  on  earth,  I  sincerely  hope.  I  speak  plainly, 
do  I  not  ?  " 

"  Yes,  senora,"  but  I  trembled,  and  felt  hurt  at  her  words.  I  knew  not 
why. 

"  You  have  been  like  a  brother  to  me,"  the  lady  whispered,  as  she  raised 
her  dark  eyes  and  gave  me  a  glance  I  did  not  dare  to  meet.  "  Have  you 
always  thought  of  me  as  a  sister?  " 

"  Yes,  lady,  as  a  very  dear  sister." 

"  Could  you  at  all  times  trust  yourself  with  me  as  a  relative?  "  she  asked, 
a  little  nervously  I  thought. 

"  Yes,  senora,  as  a  man  of  honor  I  should  never  fail  to  treat  you  as  your 
high  position  requires." 

"  Do  you  realize  that  I  am  married  and  love  my  husband?  "  the  lady  de- 
manded imperiously. 

•'  Yes,  senora,  I  comprehend  all  that." 

"  And  if  I  was  single,  what  then  ?  " 

"  I  should  hope,  and  remain  in  the  country,  lady." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  those  words  ?  " 

"  They  express  my  feelings,  and  are  very  plain." 

'•  Good-by,"  she  said,  and  held  out  her  little  hand. 

I  bent  down  and  kissed  it,  and  turned  to  leave  her  with  a  stifling  sensa- 
tion in  my  throat,  and  eyes  that  were  dim  with  moisture. 

"  Stay,"  she  said  in  an  impetuous  manner.     "  One  word  more,  senor." 

I  remained  to  listen,  with  head  bowed  low,  not  daring  to  raise  it  to  look 
at  her  handsome,  glowing  face,  and  flashing  eyes. 

"  Do  you  remember,"  the  lady  cried,  "  the  night  we  supposed  the  Indians 
were  to  attack  Monterey,  some  years  ago  ?  " 

"  Yes,  senora." 

"  And  you  carried  me  in  your  arms  to  the  boat,  and  were  mean  enough 
to  demand  kisses  for  your  labor?" 

"  It  was  no  labor,  lady.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  serve  you.  I  would  have 
done  much  more  to  aid  you  had  I  the  power  at  the  time." 

"  And  do  you  dare  to  deny  from  that  night  you  loved  me  ?  " 

I  did  not  answer  her,  but  watched  the  flickering  sunlight  as  it  entered  the 
windows  and  danced  around  the  room,  tinging  with  gold  the  dress  and  form 


378  Lewey  and  1. 


of  the  majestic  little  woman  before  me,  who  was  playing  with  her  victim 
like  a  tigeress  with  a  stricken  animal,  too  weak  to  make  its  escape,  and  too 
timid  to  die  willingly. 

"  Why  do  you  not  deny  my  words  ?  "  Senora  Costello  asked,  and  stamped 
her  little,  well-formed  foot,  the  toes  of  which  were  enclosed  by  a  slipper 
without  sides. 

"  There  is  no  occasion  for  words  from  me,  senora.  I  am  but  a  humble 
young  man,  poor,  and  dependent  upon  favor  for  fortune.  If  I  was  a  gentle- 
man I  could  have  spoken  some  years  ago.  Now  it  is  too  late.  Let  me  go 
I  entreat  you.  This  interview  is  very  painful  to  me,  and  can  do  you  no 
good." 

"  Do  you  remember,"  she  asked  in  a  more  gentle  tone,  "  how  you  saved 
me  from  insult  at  San  Luis  Obispo  ? " 

"  Yes,  lady." 

"  And  defended  me  from  ladrones  on  the  journey  to  Monterey  ? " 

"  I  remember  all,  lady.  The  earthquake  and  uprising  after  the  troops 
had  left  the  town.  I  would  gladly  do  the  same  again  and  again  for  your 
sake,  and  think  that  1  was  repaid  for  my  trouble  if  your  safety  was 
secured." 

"  How  dare  you  talk  to  me,  a  married  lady,  in  such  a  manner  ?  Do  you 
know  your  position  and  mine?  Do  you  realize  who  you  are  and  what  you 
are  ?  Do  you  recollect  that  a  few  months  ago  you  gladly  herded  with  girls 
of  the  peon  class,  and  felt  honored  at  their  notice,  and  would  have  married 
one  if  she  had  not  tired  of  waiting  for  you,  and  chose  another  more  to  her 
taste  ? " 

"Why  do  you  remind  me  of  all  this?"  I  asked,  with  a  weary  sigh,  as  I 
raised  my  head  and  looked  at  the  flashing  eyes  of  the  lady. 

"  To  show  you  the  difference  in  our  positions.  I  am  of  a  rich  family, 
and  the  daughter  of  a  gentleman,"  she  said  with  the  haughty  pride  of  the 
Spanish  race. 

"  What  constitutes  a  gentleman,  lady  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Wealth,  sir,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Then  I  can  lay  no  claim  to  gentility.  Let  me  go.  I  shall  never  see 
you  more  after  today,"  and  moved  toward  the  door  as  I  spoke. 

"  Remain  where  you  are,  sir,  for  the  present,"  Senora  Costello  said,  as 
though  I  was  her  peon  and  slave,  uand  answer  me  a  few  questions.  You 
can  read  and  write,  and  have  an  education,  a  better  one  than  I  ever  could 
hope  for.  There  is  not  a  caballero  in  Santa  Barbara  who  can  speak  Eng- 
lish, Spanish  and  French,  and  write  those  languages.  There  is  not  one  \vho 


Lewey  and  I. 


has  traveled  so  extensively  as  you  have,  who  is  so  bold  and  devoted,  and 
yet  with  all  these  wonderful  qualities  I  hate  you,  scorn  and  loathe  you,  and 
would  kill  you  if  I  dared/' 

"  For  what  reason,  lady  ?  "  I  asked,  astonished  at  this  burst  of  uncalled- 
for  rage  from  the  pretty  little  woman. 

"  Wretch,"  she  cried,  as  though  she  would  like  to  fall  afoul  of  me,  and 
tear  my  hair  out  in  great  handfuls,  "  did  you  not  kneel  by  the  side  of  that 
dying,  peon  girl,  and  kiss  her  lips,  and  shed  tears,  as  though  you  mourned 
for  her  justly-deserved  death  ?  " 

"  I  admit  the  accusation,  lady." 

She  seemed  inclined  to  make  a  spring  at  me,  and  scratch  my  face,  and  I 
wondered  what  the  deuse  was  the  matter  with  one  usually  so  gentle  and 
kind. 

"  Go,"  she  said.  "  Your  presence  here  polutes  the  air.  You  are  dead  to 
shame  and  all  noble  feeling.  You  are  the  meanest  young  man  I  ever  met 
in  my  life." 

I  bowed  in  silence,  and  turned  away.  I  thought  she  was  a  little  out  of 
her  head,  and  had  no  idea  why  she  should  treat  me  in  such  a  curt  manner. 
Surely  I  had  been  very  polite  to  her  all  through  our  acquaintance,  and  nev- 
er spoke  a  rude,  impatient  word,  or  cherished  an  improper  thought.  If  I 
had  kissed  her  it  was  as  a  brother  and  not  as  a  lover,  and  now  that  she  was 
driving  me  from  her  presence  with  a  scornful  gesture  and  bitter  words  I 
bowed  my  head,  and  with  tears  in  my  eyes  passed  out  of  the  room,  and  did 
not  even  look  back  to  see  if  she  waved  me  a  farewell. 

But  as  I  reached  the  veranda  a  little  hand  was  laid  on  my  shoulder  very 
lightly,  and  a  soft  voice  whispered,  — 

"  You  will  not  leave  me  in  anger,  will  you  ?  " 

"  No,  in  sorrow  more  than  anger,  sweet  lady." 

"Forget  all  the  harsh  things  that  I  have  uttered,  senor,"  the  lady  said. 
"  In  your  departure  remember  me  as  one  who  could  have  loved  if  she  had 
had  the  chance,  and  fates  were  propitious.  But  do  not  speak  to  me,  or  I 
shall  again  hate  you,  as  I  think  of  that  dead  peon  girl,  ^nd  you  bending 
over  her.  There  was  another  who  should  have  been  shot  beside  the  San- 
chos.  Here,  take  this  ring.  Wear  it  sometimes  for  my  sake,  and  then 
think  of  me  as  kindly  as  you  can.  But  do  not  return  to  Santa  Barbara,  or 
remain  in  the  country,  for  you  might  sometime  marry,  and  then  I  should 
kill  you  and  your  wife.  I  know  I  could  not  help  doing  so." 

"  For  what  reason,  senora?  ''  I  asked  in  innocent  surprise. 

"  You  are  a  bobo,"  was  the  sharp  reply,  and  when  I  look  back  to  that  in- 


380  Lewey  and  I. 


terview  I  think  that  I  must  have  been  what  she  called  me,  —  a  fool,  —  for 
I  did  not  buspect  for  a  moment  why  she  hated  all  whom  I  loved. 

She  thrust  a  ring  into  my  hand,  and  re-entered  the  house,  and  I  walked 
slowly  along  the  hot,  dusty  streets.  As  I  did  so  I  glanced  at  the  trinket, 
and  saw  that  it  was  a  valuable  diamond,  a  large,  brilliant  stone,  of  a  delicate 
straw  color,  yet  flashing  in  the  sunlight  like  a  star  on  a  winter  night  in  high 
latitudes. 

I  own  that  valuable  gem  at  the  present  time,  set  in  a  rich  masonic  jewel, 
and  when  I  wear  it  my  thoughts  go  back  to  Senora  Costello,  and  I  wonder 
i_~  she  is  still  alive,  and  remembers  her  boy  lover,  and  his  modest  diffidence 
and  misunderstanding  of  a  woman's  heart  and  whims. 

The  trumpets  were  sounding  cheerfully  as  I  regained  my  quarters,  and 
found  the  horses  saddled,  and  waiting  my  return  to  join  the  head  of  the 
regiment,  which  was  drawn  up  for  the  march  over  the  mountains. 

Lewey  was  sitting  on  the  door-step,  smoking  his  pipe,  all  equipped  for 
the  journey.  He  looked  at  me  long  and  earnestly,  and  then  said,  — 

"  Before  I  my  hand  gives  to  you  tell  me  dat  as  a  man  of  honor  has  you 
acted." 

"  As  a  man  of  honor,  my  friend,  I  assure  you." 

"  Den  I  takes  you  to  mine  heart.  I  knew  dat  trust  you  I  could.  Alons, 
let  us  go,  or  de  trumpeters  vill  deir  heads  blow  off.  I  is  glad  to  see  dat 
my  example  is  good  for  von  foolish  boy  like  you.  Imitate  me,  and  all  vill 
be  veil." 

I  could  not  give  the  French  lad  a  piece  of  my  mind,  for  I  was  in  no  con- 
dition for  badinage.  We  whistled  for  Jack,  mounted  our  horses,  and  rode 
to  the  head  of  the  column  just  as  the  order  was  given  for  "fours  right," 
and  with  a  shrill  blast  from  the  trumpets  we  filed  through  the  streets,  and 
were  admired  by  the  ladies  as  usual.  Senora  Costello  was  on  the  veranda 
of  her  house,  and  although  she  threw  a  greeting  to  her  brother,  never 
looked  at  me,  or  noticed  my  profound  bow,  and  so  we  passed  out  of  sight, 
and  I  never  saw  the  pretty  little  mother  again,  but  I  did  not  forget  her, 
and  shall  not  as  long  as  I  live. 

We  toiled  up  the  side  of  the  mountain,  and  on  the  crest  I  halted  my 
horse,  and  looked  at  the  sleepy,  picturesque  little  town,  the  surf  and  beach, 
the  old  mission,  and  then  turned  and  resumed  my  journey,  and  that  was  the 
last  view  I  ever  had  of  Santa  Barbara,  the  scene  of  so  many  hours  of  pleas- 
ure and  pain. 

We  swept  through  the  district  like  a  swarm  of  locusts,  eating  and  de- 
stroying all  that  came  in  our  way.  Some  of  the  rancheros  were  so  un- 


Lewey  and  I.  381 


patriotic  as  to  declare  that  the  Yankees  were  to  be  preferred  to  the  Mexi- 
cans, but  we  always  supposed  they  were  a  little  prejudiced  against  the  cav- 
alry on  account  of  its  freedom  and  bravery  in  attacking  herds  of  cattle,  and 
running  off  such  horses  as  we  needed  for  our  men,  many  of  them  breaking 
down  a  good  animal  in  twenty-four  hours,  through  racing  and  skylarking 
over  rough  ground. 

We  were  three  days  on  our  tramp  to  Los  Angeles,  and  then  swept  through 
the  town  like  a  whirlwind,  and  drove  all  the  Americans  out  of  the  place,  ex- 
cept those  who  had  become  naturalized  Mexicans,  and  married  into  the  in- 
fluential families.  Here  we  were  able  to  repay  some  of  the  former  kindness 
of  Messrs.  Stearns  and  Temple,  for  we  had  a  guard  placed  over  the  store 
of  the  former,  while  Lewey  and  I  took  up  our  quarters  at  the  house  of  the 
latter.  In  this  way  we  were  enabled  to  save  both  gentlemen  much  annoy- 
ance, and  keep  their  property  intact,  something  worth  considering  when 
one  thinks  that  there  were  about  eight  hundred  restless  men  in  town,  and 
many  of  them  would  not  distinguish  between  right  and  wrong  where  plun- 
der was  concerned. 

We  should  have  been  very  pleasantly  located  at  Los  Angeles,  as  far  as 
quarters  were  concerned,  if  Mr.  Temple  had  not  insisted  upon  our  sitting 
up  late  at  night  and  drinking  strong  punch  and  playing  monte.  We  gener- 
ally made  an  excuse  and  escaped  all  damage,  but  the  temptation  was 
strong,  and  we  had  much  difficulty  in  getting  away  by  pretending  military 
and  staff  duties. 

Lewey  and  I  were  quite  popular  in  Los  Angeles,  our  persecuters  were 
well  remembered,  and  the  young  ladies  never  tired  of  asking  after  the  fate 
of  the  girls  we  were  supposed  to  have  desired  to  marry.  The  friendly  man- 
ner in  which  Colonel  Fernando  and  his  officers  treated  us  was  another  evi- 
dence that  we  were  capable  of  obtaining  anything  we  desired  in  the  way  of 
preferment  had  we  been  disposed  to  ask  it.  We  were  invited  to  some  very 
nice  houses,  and  had  no  duty  to  perform  except  at  the  dress  parades,  when 
it  was  desirable  that  the  regiment  should  show  as  many  men  in  line  as  pos- 
sible. To  be  sure,  for  this  arduous  duty  we  received  no  pay,  but  were  told 
that  we  could  have  all  the  land  we  desired,  even  ten  leagues  square  if  we 
would  signify  our  wish  for  as  much. 

At  one  time  we  thought  that  we  would  take  a  grant,  and  settle  down  for 
life,  but  the  feeling  for  home  in  Lewey's  breast  and  my  own  grew  stronger 
and  stronger,  and  at  last  we  concluded  that  we  had  seen  enough  of  Califor- 
nia, and  a  sight  of  our  friends'  faces  would  be  desirable.  We  were  not 
quite  penniless,  yet  far  from  rich,  and  if  we  wished  for  wealth  it  was  to 


382  Lewey  and  I. 


show  that  four  years  of  our  lives  had  not  been  wasted  in  reckless  adven- 
tures. 

It  was  while  we  entertained  such  feelings  that  the  rumors  of  war  became 
more  numerous.  We  learned  that  Fremont  had  been  appointed  by  Com- 
modore Stockton  governor  of  the  State,  and  also  lieutenant-colonel  ol  a 
mounted  regiment  of  rifles,  and  that  he  was  threatening  the  whole  of  North- 
ern California,  and  had,  in  fact,  subjected  it  to  his  control,  and  was  march- 
ing toward  Santa  Barbara.  Then  came  a  despatch  stating  that  five  hun- 
dred marines  and  sailors  were  being  disembarked  at  San  Pedro  from  the 
frigates  lying  there,  the  Savannah  being  the  principal  vessel. 

Our  scouts  learned  enough  to  know  that  the  force  was  intended  for  Los 
Angeles,  and  this  set  General  Flores  in  motion,  with  about  four  hundred 
men  (all  well  mounted,  and  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Fernando),  and 
one  little  light  six-pounder,  which  the  Mexicans  picked  up  somewhere,  and 
had  prepared  about  twenty-five  rounds  of  ammunition  for  the  same.  I  never 
knew  where  the  powder  or  shot  came  from.  It  was  a  mystery  to  most 
every  one  except  Flores. 

Lewey  and  I  were  invited  to  go  and  see  the  battle,  and  as  we  were 
mounted  on  fast  horses  had  no  objection,  thinking  we  could  keep  out  of 
the  way  of  the  American  warriors  should  the  attack  become  a  serious  one, 
which  we  did  not  anticipate  for  a  moment,  as  we  imagined  our  Mexican 
friends  would  stand  one  volley,  and  then  retreat  as  soon  as  possible,  gain- 
ing the  tops  of  the  neighboring  mountains,  and  from  thence  carry  on  an 
irregular  warfare  for  months  to  come,  with  safety  to  themselves  and  danger 
to  the  enemy. 

It  was  a  lovely  morning  when  we  galloped  out  of  Los  Angeles,  and  took 
the  road  for  San  Pedro,  but  as  the  sun  got  up  the  heat  became  intense  on 
the  mesa  lands,  as  there  was  not  a  breath  of  air  stirring.  The  little  brass 
field-piece  was  drawn  by  two  large  mules,  staid  old  beasts,  that  required 
much  pounding  to  get  into  a  run,  and  so  keep  up  with  the  horsemen. 

When  about  ten  miles  from  the  town  we  sighted  the  advance  guard  of 
the  Americans,  all  on  foot,  sailors  and  marines,  stretched  along  the  road  as 
though  going  to  a  picnic,  and  caring  no  more  for  us  than  if  we  had  been  so 
many  women.  In  fact  we  were  despised,  and  yet  it  is  not  good  generalship 
to  laugh  at  any  force  that  may  be  sent  against  you,  for  fortune  is  a  fickle 
jade,  and  sometimes  deserts  the  best  of  generals,  men  who  count  on  their' 
stars  and  not  on  the  resolution  of  a  foe,  like  Napoleon  at  Waterloo. 

General  Flores  called  a  halt,  and  sent  a  few  scouts  forward  to  recon- 
noitre. The  rancheros  were  superbly  mounted,  and  some  of  the  best 


Lewey  and  I.  383 


horsemen  in  the  country.  It  was  a  beautiful  exhibition  of  dash  and  care- 
fulness to  see  them  hovering  around  the  Americans,  sometimes  on  the 
flank,  rear,  and  in  front,  and  yet  out  of  musket  shot  all  the  time,  for  not  a 
ball  touched  them.  They  irritated  the  invaders  like  vicious  flies  in  the 
summer-time  around  bald-headed  men,  for  occasionally  we  could  see  a  dozen 
Jack-tars  start  off  on  the  run  to  get  a  little  nearer  the  fleet  enemy;  and  then 
the  Mexicans  would  laugh  and  make  insulting  gestures,  in  the  hope  of  in- 
ducing the  Yankees  to  continue  the  pursuit,  and  be  cut  off  from  the  main 
body. 

The  rancheros  were  like  sparrows  on  the  wing,  now  here  and  there,  and 
away  on  the  run  when  there  was  a  chance  to  distract  the  attention  of  the 
enemy,  or  throw  a  lariat  around  a  sailor  just  out  of  bounds. 

"  Thorn,"  said  my  friend  Lewey,  after  we  had  sat  and  watched  the  enemy 
for  half  an  hour  or  more,  "  your  countryman  like  a  fool  acts.  I  see  disas- 
ter to  him  unless  he  keeps  in  line  and  not  fret  ven  de  Mexican  is  near. 
Now  at  dat  look." 

I  did  look,  and  could  only  groan  at  the  manner  in  which  my  friends  were 
acting.  They  seemed  to  think  that  the  Mexicans  were  a  set  of  vagabonds 
and  destitute  of  courage  or  skill,  and  that  an  American  could  walk  away 
with  a  dozen  of  them  on  foot  or  horseback,  forgetting  for  the  moment  that 
the  rancheros  were  as  expert  riders  as  could  be  found  in  the  world,  and  not 
devoid  of  a  certain  amount  of  desperate  pluck,  when  well  led  by  men  in 
whom  they  had  confidence. 

Suddenly  the  sailors  gave  three  cheers,  and  rushed  toward  us,  not  in  the 
best  of  formation,  but  a  rollicking  sort  of  way,  as  though  expecting  us  to 
scatter  and  run.  There  was  a  magnificent  chance  for  a  charge  of  cavalry, 
and  I  expected  General  Flores  would  give  the  order  to  move  forward. 
Even  Colonel  Fernando  drew  his  sabre,  and,  smiling,  told  me  to 
get  out  of  line  unless  I  desired  to  ride  over  my  own  countrymen.  If  the 
dash  had  been  made  with  boldness  not  a  hundred  Americans  would  have 
escaped.  But  the  order  was  not  given,  for  Flores  had  other  plans,  and  was 
afraid  of  defeat,  yet  victory  was  certain  if  a  little  earnestness  had  been 
shown  by  the  Mexicans. 

Up  to  the  front  came  the  two  mules  with  the  field-piece,  and  it  was 
pointed  at  the  invaders  when  they  were  not  more  than  half  a  mile  distant. 
There  was  a  ringing  discharge,  and  down  fell  a  dozen  or  more  sailors  and 
marines,  killed  and  wounded. 

"  Tocar  a  lar  retirada,"  sounded  the  trumpets,  and  I  was  in  hopes  the 
Mexicans  were  about  to  fall  back  to  the  town,  without  more  fighting,  but 


384  Lewey  and  I. 


the  wounding  of  the  Americans  seemed  to  enrage  the  sailors,  as  they  ut- 
tered a  yell  and  came  for  us  as  fast  as  they  could  run. 

"  Fuego,"  shouted  Flores  with  a  smile  on  his  face,  as  he  saw  the  imbecil- 
ity of  his  opponents. 

The  mules  once  more  came  to  the  front,  there  was  a  roaring  discharge, 
and  down  tumbled  many  men  who  should  have  been  spared  such  a  cruel 
fate.  The  marines  gave  us  a  volley,  but  no  one  was  injured,  for  their  mus- 
kets, old-fashioned  ones  at  that,  did  not  carry  a  ball  like  the  breach  -loader 
of  modern  days,  when  it  is  possible  to  kill  at  a  distance  of  over  a  mile. 
Had  our  people  been  armed  with  such  weapons  at  that  time  the  Mexicans 
would  have  been  defeated  with  great  loss.  But  they  were  not,  and  so  had 
to  suffer. 

As  the  Americans  advanced  the  Mexicins  retreated,  slowly,  yet  fast 
enough  to  keep  beyond  the  reach  of  the  invaders,  and  when  a  chance  pre- 
sented, the  field  piece  was  brought  into  use,  and  at  every  discharge  men  fell. 
There  were  shouts  of  rage  and  pain  from  one  party,  and  yells  of  triumph 
from  the  other,  but  at  last  it  was  reported  that  there  was  only  one  round  of 
ammunition  left  for  the  brass  gun,  and  I  was  glad  to  hear  it,  although  I  did 
not  dare  to  express  my  joy  at  the  news,  for  if  I  had  my  life  would  not  have 
been  worth  a  real.  In  fact  but  few  in  the  regiment  knew  that  I  was  an 
American,  as  it  was  not  considered  desirable  to  parade  my  nationality  be- 
fore every  one,  by  the  advice  of  Colonel  Fernando,  who  was  a  good  friend 
to  us  as  long  as  we  were  with  him. 

The  invaders  did  not  pursue  the  Mexicans  any  further.  They  gathered 
up  their  dead  and  wounded  and  retired  to  their  ships  at  San  Pedro,  sadder 
and  wiser  men,  while  the  cavalry  went  back  to  Los  Angeles  flushed  with 
triumph,  and  received  an  ovation  so  flattering  no  wonder  the  heads  of  all 
the  officers  were  turned  for  the  time  being,  and  proclamations  were  as 
plentiful  as  oranges  in  modern  days. 

Americans  became  decidedly  unpopular  in  the  town,  as  the  soldiers  were 
clamorous  to  be  again  led  against  the  Yankees,  and  while  this  feeling  pre- 
vailed Colonel  Fernando  one  day  sent  for  Lewey  and  myself,  and  spoke  to 
us  very  seriously  and  calmly. 

"  This  is  now  no  place  for  you,"  he  said.  "  Our  people  are  growing 
more  excited  every  day  against  foreigners.  At  the  present  time  you  stand 
well,  but  still  there  are  murmurs  that  you  are  Americans  in  disguise,  and 
acting  as  spies  for  the  United  States.  It  is  useless  to  state  I  do  not  be- 
lieve a  word  that  is  whispered  against  you.  Still  I  can't  entirely  shut  the 
mouths  of  those  who  are  clamorous  for  fame  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  an 


Lewey  and  I.  385 


office  and  wealth.  If  we  had  not  met  with  an  accidental  victory  the  other 
day  matters  would  have  been  different,  and  you  could  remain  secure.  Bet- 
ter leave  us  and  the  country  while  there  is  time,  and  your  lives  are 
safe." 

We  believed  that  there  was  much  wisdom  in  the  advice,  and  agreed  to  ac- 
cept it.  We  had  noticed  cold  looks  for  several  days,  and  the  senoritas  did 
hot  smile  on  us  as  formerly,  for  some  reason  which  we  did  not  compre- 
hend. 

"  Go  to  San  Diego,"  the  colonel  said,  "  and  take  refuge  in  your  old  hide- 
house.  That  is  neutral  ground,  and  you  will  not  be  disturbed  there.  I  can 
get  you  passes  all  through  the  lower  part  of  the  State,  so  that  no  one  will 
molest  or  detain  you  on  the  way,  or  at  San  Diego.  I  have  already  a  docu- 
ment from  General  Castro  in  your  behalf,  and  today  I  will  obtain  another 
from  General  Flores.  It  shall  be  reported  in  the  town  that  you  have  gone 
on  a  scouting  expedition  over  the  mountains,  and  it  is  not  likely  you  will 
meet  with  any  one  to  interfere  with  your  affairs.  I  dislike  to  part  with 
such  dear  friends,  but  it  is  for  the  best.  I  am  only  studying  your  interests, 
believe  me." 

"  Colonel,"  I  asked,  "  what  is  the  prospect  of  Mexico  retaining  posses- 
sion of  the  State  ?  " 

"  None,"  the  officer  answered  with  a  sigh.  "  We  shall  ultimately  be 
ground  to  powder,  extinguished  and  exterminated.  There  is  no  hope  for 
us.  The  United  States  have  been  endeavoring  for  years  to  get  a  foothold 
here,  and  there  is  not  a  stream,  a  pass,  a  canyon,  or  a  trail  that  is  not  down 
on  some  of  their  maps.  Exploring  parties  have  been  through  the  country 
under  the  guise  of  trappers  and  hunters,  and  noted  everything  of  interest, 
and  it  will  be  turned  to  good  advantage.  Already  Fremont  has  raised  a 
regiment  of  mounted  rifles,  and  who  can  stand  before  his  men  ?  General 
Kearney  is  headed  for  San  Diego,  on  an  overland  trail,  as  we  learn  from 
couriers.  Commodore  Stockton  and  the  general  will  join  forces  and  march 
on  Los  Angeles  in  such  strength  that  we  shall  be  defeated  if  we  offer  battle. 
Hemmed  in  on  all  sides  what  hope  is  there  for  us,  especially  when  you  rec- 
ollect that  not  one-tenth  part  of  the  male  population  has  come  forward  and 
offered  to  assist  us  ?  We  could  keep  up  a  guerrilla  war  for  years  by  taking 
to  the  mountains,  but  what  use  would  it  be  ?  Should  we  ultimately  secure 
our  independence  ?  ,  No,  a  price  would  be  placed  on  our  heads,  and  the  In- 
dians might  hnnt  for  us  like  cattle,  and  one  by  one  we  should  fall.  I  see 
the  end,  and  it  is  not  far  off.  Deserted  by  the  national  government,  with- 
out guns,  ammunition,  or  money,  what  can  we  hope  for  against  a  powerful 


386  Lewey  and  I. 


nation  ?     It  commands  our  ports,  and  soon  will  occupy  the  land,  fight  as 
hard  as  we  may  to  preserve  it." 

I  saw  tears  in  the  gallant  young  man's  eyes  as  he  spoke.  He  turned  to 
the  window  for  a  moment  to  hide  his  emotion,  and  then  once  again  faced 
us. 

"  You,  senors,  have  been  to  me  like  brothers  for  the  past  few  months. 
You  have  saved  my  life,  and  that  of  my  sister  and  her  child  on  several  oc- 
casions. Let  me  make  some  return  for  all  your  kindness  before  we  part. 
Here  are  two  bags.  Each  contains  in  doubloons  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
dollars.  Oblige  me  by  accepting  the  same  as  some  recompense  for  your 
interest  in  my  behalf.  The  amount  is  small,  and  I  wish  that  it  was  ten  times 
larger,  but  it  is  all  that  I  can  afford  just  now." 

"  Colonel,"  I  said,  "  we  thank  you  for  your  many  acts  of  kindness,  and 
wish  that  we  could  remain  with  you  until  peace  is  declared.  We  have 
long  felt  that  we  occupied  a  peculiar  position,  and  discussed  the  prospects  of 
getting  h:>me.  Your  words  have  only  hastened  our  action.  We  cannot 
serve  against  the  United  States,  and  we  have  taken  an  oath  not  to  raise  a 
hand  in  opposition  to  Mexico,  What  can  we  do  but  retire  from  the  State, 
or  else  espouse  one  side  or  the  other  to  prevent  suspicion  being  attached 
to  our  actions.  Keep  your  money,  for  we  want  none  of  it." 

"  You  need  it  more  than  I  do,"  the  colonel  said,  "  I  can  do  nothing  with 
so  much  gold  at  the  present  time,  unless  I  bury  it,  and  then  if  killed  who  is 
to  benefit  by  it  ?  My  wealth  is  all  in  land  and  cattle.  The  cattle  may  dis- 
appear, but  the  land  will  remain  and  yield  me  a  home  some  time  or  other  I 
hope,  even  if  it  is  under  the  stars  and  stripes.  Don't  be  afraid  of  the  mon- 
ey. I  won  it  last  night  from  Senor  Temple  on  the  turning  of  a  card.  He 
won't  feel  it,  for  he  has  plenty  more  somewhere.  I  made  the  stake  in  the 
hope  of  reaping  a  rich  harvest  so  that  I  could  be  generous  to  you." 
"And  if  you  had  lost,  Senor  Colonel  ?  "  I  asked. 

should  have  given  him  a  township  in  the  Valley  of  San 
Gabriel,"  was  the  answer.  "  I  own  half  a  county  there  I  believe,  although 
I  have  never  seen  much  of  it.  With  one  hundred  thousand  acres  on  the 
Sacramento  River,  and  one  or  two  hundred  thousand  near  Monterey,  and 
what  I  have  here,  I  am  pretty  well  provided  for.  Take  the  gold,  senors. 
Unless  you  do  I  shall  feel  that  you  do  not  think  the  sum  is  enough." 

Under  the  circumstances  we  did  not  again  refuse  the  generous  gift.  We 
left  the  presence  of  the  young  officer  feeling  the  highest  respect  for  a  man 
who  would  risk  a  principality  for  the  purpose  of  winning  a  lot  of  gold  for  the 
use  of  his  friends. 


Lewey  and  I.  387 


The  same  day  we  quietly  commenced  our  preparations  for  departure. 
We  did  not  intend  it  should  be  generally  known  that  we  were  going,  so 
confided  the  secret  to  Messrs.  Temple  and  Stearns  only.  They  approved 
of  the  step  we  were  about  to  take,  and  thought  it  a  judicious  one.  We  de- 
termined to  use  our  peon  servant,  as  he  was  a  smart,  active  fellow,  and  very 
trustworthy  if  rum  was  kept  out  of  his  way.  He  had  looked  after  our 
horses  for  some  months,  knew  our  ways,  and  was  eager  to  go  on  a  scouting 
expedition,  or  anywhere  else,  provided  he  was  paid  a  few  dollars  a  month, 
which  he  was  certain  to  lose  at  monte  in  less  than  two  hours  after  receiv- 
ing the  money. 

We  told  him  to  pick  out  two  good,  safe  pack-mules  from  those  belonging 
to  the  army,  with  saddles  and  reatas,  also  the  mustang  he  was  accustomed 
to  ride  on  the  march.  This  he  did,  and  Colonel  Fernando  gave  them  to 
us  without  price.  To  be  sure  the  animals  did  not  cost  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment a  cent,  as  they  were  taken  when  needed,  and  from  whomsoever  hap- 
pened to  have  a  stock,  no  money  being  passed  during  the  transaction. 

We  gathered  a  supply  of  tobacco,  matches,  dried  beef,  coffee  and  sugar, 
pilot  bread,  and  a  fresh  lot  of  fishing  lines  and  hooks,  besides  a  coffee  pot, 
and  skillet  to  fry  what  we  could  not  broil.  Then  we  collected  a  lot  of  am- 
munition for  our  rifles  and  pistols,  and  while  we  were  buying  the  latter  Mr. 
Stearns  made  us  a  present  of  a  spade,  the  last  thing  we  should  have  thought 
of  taking  with  us,  but  we  were  assured  that  it  would  be  useful  to  dig  worms 
when  we  went  after  trout.  We  did  find  it  useful,  but  not  for  the  purpose 
indicated. 

As  soon  as  all  our  purchases  were  collected,  and  stowed  away  in  thick 
canvas  bags,  ready  for  packing  on  the  mules,  we  went  around  and  bade  good- 
by  to  our  most  intimate  friends,  and  the  next  morning  long  before  daylight 
we  had  eaten  our  breakfast,  and  were  in  the  saddle.  Just  before  we  started 
Colonel  Fernando  came  to  us  and  shook  hands,  wishing  us  all  kinds  of 
good  luck,  and  then  as  the  first  streaks  of  daylight  touched  the  faces  of  the 
rugged  mountains,  to  the  delight  of  Jack  we  filed  out  of  town,  halted  every 
few  minutes  with  the  sharp  cry  of,  — 

"  Que  quiere  usted  ?     Parada." 

"  Amigos,"  was  the  answer,  and  then  the  password  of  "  Castro  "  was  next 
in  order,  and  thus  running  the  gauntlet  of  challenges  we  were  soon  outside 
the  limits  of  the  town,  and  near  the  Mission  of  San  Gabriel,  driving  our 
mules  before  us,  or,  rather,  our  Indian  did,  in  the  usual  style  of  rancheros, 
and  just  as  we  had  passed  the  last  sentinel  Lewey  checked  his  horse,  and 
said,  — 


388  Lewey  and  I. 


"  De  saints  hab  me  in  deir  keepin',  but  I  has  forgotten  von  ding  dat  is 
important." 

"  And  what  is  that  ?  "  a  little  startled  at  the  thought  that  it  might  be  our 
money. 

"  Vy,  vot  skall  ve  tell  de  daughters  of  de  rancheros  on  de  vay  ?  To  von 
—  Florencia  —  I  promised  much.  To  de  fadder  of  de  udder  you  say  many 
foolish  dings.  But  de  question  now  is  vot  skall  ve  do  and  libe  ?  Ve  can't 
ved." 

"  Do  not  let  us  borrow  trouble  until  the  time  arrives  for  it,"  I  remarked. 
"  Perhaps  the  girls  are  married,  and  out  of  the  way  by  this  time,  so  all  diffi- 
culty will  be  avoided." 

"  I  dink  not.  Ven  a  girl  say  she  love  me  it  is  for  life.  But,  alons,  We 
can  swear  dat  ve  is  de  bearer  of  despatches  and  has  no  time  for  de  matri- 
mony." 

With  this  consoling  thought  we  pushed  on  after  Juan,  the  Indian  peon, 
and  at  sunrise  were  on  the  spur  of  one  of  the  mountains  of  the  Sierra 
Madre,  and  looking  off  toward  Los  Angeles,  the  mission,  and  the  lovely 
Valley  of  San  Gabriel,  while  away  to  the  west  sparkled  the  blue  waters  of 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  the  white  Cataline  Island,  lying  off  the  coast,  ren- 
dered more  distinct  by  the  gleams  of  the  sun,  just  starting  on  its  daily 
course  through  a  cloudless  sky. 

The  scene  was  too  beautiful  to  part  from  in  a  hurry.  We  called  to  Juan 
to  unload  the  mules,  and  start  a  fire.  Lewey  and  I  prepared  a  pot  of  cof- 
fee, brought  forth  some  bread  and  cold  meat  for  an  early  breakfast,  and 
while  we  ate  and  drank  our  animals  fed  on  the  dry  grasses  and  wild  oats  of 
the  district. 

Jack  was  delighted  with  the  change.  He  scented  game  in  every  copse, 
and  through  the  bushes  roamed  in  constant  expectation  of  meeting  some- 
thing he  could  punish  and  worry.  Juan  was  satisfied  with  our  unlimited 
supply  of  cigarettes  and  tobacco,  and  the  hope  of  earning  a  few  dollars  so 
that  he  could  have  the  pleasure  of  losing  the  same  at  monte,  just  as  soon  as 
we  struck  the  town  of  San  Diego. 

For  an  hour  we  sat  on  the  mountain  spur,  smoking  and  looking  at  the 
beautiful  scenery  beneath  us,  enjoying  every  moment  of  the  time,  and 
thinking  how  we  had  rested  in  the  same  place  but  a  few  months  before,  on 
our  journey  toward  Ranche  Refugio,  with  high  hopes  of  matrimony  and 
love,  only  to  be  disappointed.  And  yet  we  could  not  bear  to  turn  our  backs 
on  the  place  that  had  sheltered  us  for  so  many  weeks,  and  where  we  found 
warm  friends  when  we  needed  them. 


Lewey  and  I.  389 


"  Load  up,  Juan,"  we  said.  "  We  will  push  through  the  canyons  and 
camp  on  the  other  side  of  the  mountains  for  the  night." 

The  peon  obeyed,  and  was  soon  hurrying  his  pack-mules  over  the  trail, 
while  we  mo'unted  our  horse?,  took  one  last  look  at  the  surrounding  coun- 
try, and  then  resumed  our  journey,  but  we  agreed  that  in  all  the 
world  there  could  no*  be  a  more  beautiful  spot  for  a  home,  and  since  then 
thousands  of  people  have  come  to  the  same  conclusion,  for  the  San  Gabriel 
Valley  is  now  teeming  with  life  and  industry,  and  vineyards  and  grain  have 
taken  the  place  of  cattle  ranches,  and  where  the  coyote  once  roamed  in  a 
wilderness  now  school  children  are  seen  on  their  way  for  instruction.  The 
store-keeper  has  forced  the  ranchero  from  his  stronghold,  and  left  only  a 
tradition  of  his  former  power,  and  expertness  on  horseback,  and  with  the 
lariat  in  his  dark,  sinuous  hands,  that  never  knew  the  meaning  or  use  of 
soap,  even  in  a  long  and  savory  career  of  cattle  tending.  A  new  world  has 
opened  for  the  attraction  of  industrious  men  and  women,  but  it  has  one 
great  fault,  for  who  would  want  to  die  when  once  comfortably  settled  in 
such  a  paradise  ? 

We  went  through  the  canyon  in  a  careful,  leisurely  manner,  ?aw  the  same 
eagles  overhead,  the  same  hawks  and  buzzards,  and  at  last  came  to  the 
point  where  we  had  witnessed  the  exploits  of  the  bear  in  pitching  rocks  in- 
to the  stream  beneath  him,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the  water  splash  up- 
ward, and,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  there  was  a  bear  at  the  very  spot,  and 
engaged  in  the  same  monotonous  sport.  It  mi^ht  have  been  the  one  we 
saw  when  we  went  through  before,  or  a  companion,  but  the  circumstance 
was  a  singular  one  to  say  the  least,  and  when  we  stopped  and  looked  at  the 
old  fellow,  and  shouted  to  him  across  the  ravine,  he  sat  up  on  his  haunches 
and  actually  beckoned  us  to  come  over,  and  have  a  close  and  confidential 
chat.  Lewey  vowed  that  he  saw  the  brute  wink  one  eye,  but  then  the 
French  lad  was  not  inclined  to  always  confine  himself  to  facts,  and  wan- 
dered a  little  in  his  great  desire  to  imagine  things  which  really  did  not 
exist. 

The  brute  was  so  cool  and  independent  that  we  did  not  desire  to  disturb 
its  happiness.  We  left  it  pitching  down  stones,  and  felt  as  though  we  had 
seen  an  old  friend  for  the  last  time.  Juan  said  that  bears  always  hunted  in 
couples  when  after  fish.  That  one  would  take  a  position  over  a  brook,  and 
hurl  bowlders  into  the  water  hoping  to  kill  a  fe'v  trout,  while  a  confederate 
might  be  stationed  down  stream  to  secure  all  that  floated  along  without 
life.  The  peon  related  the  yarn  with  a  grave  face,  as  though  it  was  true, 
and  I  give  it  for  what  it  is  worth,  just  as  it  was  told  to  me  many  years  ago. 


3QO  Lewey  and  L 


I  had  no  time  verify  the  matter  by  actual  experience.  If  the  bears  of  Cali- 
fornia fished  in  that  way  it  certainly  denoted  an  amount  of  instinct  and  in- 
telligence that  they  never  had  credit  for.  I  should  like  to  have  investi- 
gated and  found  out  how  many  stones  had  to  be  thrown  to  kill  one  fish,  for 
although  trout  were  very  plentiful,  it  seemed  to  me  that  the  noise  of  falling 
rocks  must  have  frightened  the  finny  tribe,  but  perhaps  they  were  attracted 
and  not  repelled  by  the  stones,  no  one  ever  fishing  the  streams  in  those 
days,  so  trout  were  not  as  timid  as  at  the  present  time,  when  every  one  is 
anxious  for  a  big  string. 

It  was  near  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  before  we  reached  our  old  camp- 
ing-ground, where  we  had  shot  the  prowling  mountain  lion.  Our  horses 
recollected  the  spot  as  well  as  ourselves,  for  they  snorted  and  sniffed,  and 
were  uneasy  for  some  time,  evidently  looking  for  another  attack. 

We  concluded  to  camp  on  the  same  spot  as  of  old,  and  as  Juan  was  piq- 
uetting  the  mules  and  horses  where  the  grass  was  greenest,  by  the  side  of 
a  small  stream,  Lewey  and  I  took  our  fish  lines,  and  wandered  along  the 
banks  of  the  brook,  and  soon  had  a  nice  mess  of  handsome  trout,  and  while 
we  were  thus  engaged  there  occurred  one  of  the  greatest  surprises  that  we 
had  encountered  in  California.  I  had  taken  the  spade  along  for  the  pur- 
pose of  digging  some  worms  for  bait,  and  while  I  was  replenishing  my  ex- 
hausted stock  so  that  we  could  do  a  little  fishing  early  in  the  morning  my 
shovel  struck  a  hard  substance,  and  I  threw  it  one  side  thinking  it  a  stone, 
but  the  color  attracted  my  attention,  so  I  picked  up  what  I  thought  was  a 
peculiar  piece  of  quartz,  as  large  as  a  man's  hand,  and  so  heavy  that  I  was 
astonished  at  the  weight. 

"Lewey,"  I  said,  calling  to  my  friend  who  was  some  distance  from  me, 
"  what  kind  of  stone  is  this  ?  It  looks  like  gold." 

The  French  lad  ran  toward  me,  and  as  I  tossed  him  the  nugget  his  eyes 
expressed  the  astonishment  he  felt.  He  looked  it  all  over,  balanced  it  in 
his  hands,  from  one  to  the  other,  and  then  cried,  — 

"Mon  dieu,  man  alive,  dat  is  gold,  and  de  best  of  its  kind." 

"  Are  you  sure  ?  "  I  asked,  almost  dazed  at  his  words. 

"  Sure,  veil  I  should  dink  I  am  sure.  I  vonce  studied  de  mineralogy,  and 
I  knows  about  de  dings  of  de  earth.  Vy,  old  ami,  dat  little  piece  of  de 
precious  stuff  is  vorth  all  of  two  dousand  dollars.  By  gracious  me,  but  ve 
has  found  a  gold  mine,  and  ve  is  rich  for  eber  and  eber.  Gib  me  de  spade. 
Let  us  see  if  dar  is  much  like  him  round  here." 

He  went  to  work  with  a  vim,  and  threw  the  loose  earth  far  from  the 
place  where  I  had  dug  for  worms.  In  a  few  minutes  he  was  rewarded  for 


Lewey  and  I.  391 


his  labor,  as  another  nugget  came  to  light  about  as  large  as  the  first  one, 
and  then  darkness  put  a  stop  to  our  operations  for  the  night.  We  gathered 
up  our  gold  and  fish,  and  returned  to  camp,  but  considered  it  not  expedient 
to  inform  Juan  of  our  good  fortune,  as  we  did  not  know  but  he  might  be 
induced  to  murder  us  while  we  slept,  as  so  much  wealth  was  a  great  temp- 
tation to  a  poor  peon.  We  concealed  the  treasure  among  our  clothes  in 
the  bags,  using  the  latter  for  pillows  at  night. 

As  one  might  suppose  we  were  too  excited  to  eat  or  sleep  much  that 
night,  but  we  smoked  many  pipes  of  tobacco  in  the  evening,  talked  over 
our  plans,  and  how  we  would  remain  where  we  were  until  we  had  collected 
a  fortune,  if  the  gold  held  out.  When  we  did  slumber  we  started  up  at 
every  unusual  sound,  and  even  the  barking  of  the  coyotes  seemed  threaten- 
ing. But  Juan  slept  on  undisturbed,  and  dreamed  of  being  at  last  lucky  at 
monte. 

At  daylight  we  were  again  at  work.  One  of  us  dug  over  the  gravel  down 
to  a  ledge,  and  the  other  fished,  but  no  more  nuggets  were  found,  which  we 
thought  hard  luck.  Juan  wanted  to  know  why  we  used  the  spade  so  much, 
and  we  told  him  that  we  had  come  across  some  peculiar-looking  quartz 
which  we  were  anxious  to  take  home  as  curiosities,  showing  him  a  lot  of 
pebbles  at  the  same  time.  He  though  it  a  simple  kind  of  mania,  and  only 
laughed  at  our  ideas  of  what  was  valuable.  To  get  rid  of  him  we  let  him 
take  one  of  our  rifles,  and  set  out  in  search  of  deer,  as  soon  as  breakfast 
was  over,  while  we  went  to  work  in  earnest,  and  found  several  small  nug- 
gets of  gold  in  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  but  they  were  not  larger  than 
English  walnuts. 

Juan  came  back  in  the  afternoon  with  a  small  deer  over  his  shoulder,  and 
very  proud  of  his  exploit.  We  had  venison  for  supper,  and  did  not  think 
we  were  likely  to  starve  for  the  want  of  food  as  long  as  game  and  fish  in 
abundance,  and  easily  obtained,  were  close  at  hand. 

For  two  weeks  we  worked  our  bonanza,  and  then  seemed  to  have  ex- 
hausted the  pocket,  although  much  fine,  scale  gold  was  obtained.  We 
could  only  estimate  the  value  of  the  prize,  but  thought  that  there  could  not 
be  less  than  two  hundred  pounds  in  weight,  all  pure  and  free  from  quartz. 
But  we  continued  to  dig  day  after  day  in  the  hope  of  finding  more  wealth, 
and  when  we  were  disappointed  packed  up  our  traps  and  moved  onward, 
happy  in  the  thought  that  we  were  rich  even  beyond  our  dreams. 

It  was  near  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  when  we  reached  the  ranche 
owned  by  the  man  who  was  anxious  I  should  marry  his  daughter  at  the 
time  we  passed  the  night  there,  on  our  journey  to  Los  Angeles.  The  place 


392  Lewey  and  /. 


was  unchanged,  and  we  had  the  usual  gauntlet  of  questions  to  answer,  the 
same  escopeta  to  dodge  as  of  old.  But  when  the  Mexican  and  his  son  at 
last  recognized  us  we  were  made  welcome,  and  offered  the  best  in  the 
house.  I  saw  the  girl  who  was  so  anxious  for  a  husband,  and  she  gave  me 
a  pleasant  smile  of  greeting,  but  did  not  rush  to  my  arms,  and  call  me 
blessed,  as  is  the  custom  now-a-days.  Besides,  there  was  a  strange  ranch e- 
ro  there,  a  fellow  we  had  never  before  seen,  and  he  seemed  a  little  familiar 
with  the  lady,  more  so  than  good  taste  would  warrant,  I  thought.  But  then 
Lewey  laughed  at  the  idea,  and  said  that  I  was  jealous. 

While  Juan  was  looking  to  the  mules  and  horses,  and  after  we  had  carried 
our  bags  of  treasure  to  the  shed,  the  Mexican  father  said  that  he  desired 
a  few  minutes'  conversation  with  me. 

"You know,"  he  said,  "  I  wished  you  to  marry  my  daughter?" 

"  Yes,  there  was  some  talk  on  the  subject,"  I  answered  meekly. 

"  And  you  have  come  all  this  way  to  carry  out  the  plan  ?  " 

"  I  have  thought  of  the  matter  many  times  since  we  parted,"  was  my 
evasive  reply. 

The  Mexican  appeared  a  little  embarassed,  but  at  length  freed  his  mind 
in  this  manner,  — 

"  The  fact  of  the  matter  is,"  he  remarked,  after  a  pause,  "  my  daughter 
has  done  better  than  if  she  waited  for  you.  She  is  already  married,  and 
that  ranchero  is  her  husband.  I  am  sorry  for  your  disappointment,  but 
you  should  have  come  sooner." 

I  tried  to  look  the  dejection  that  I  did  not  feel,  and  said  that  it  was  un- 
fortunate, but  undoubtedly  all  for  the  best,  and  the  man  was  glad  1  did  not 
upbraid  him  for  his  bad  faith. 

I  told  Lewey  of  my  narrow  escape,  and  he  said  I  might  have  expected  as 
much.  No  woman  would  care,  he  thought,  to  wait  for  me  any  length  of 
time. 

"  You  skall  see  how  faithful  my  little  Florencia  is.  She  go  not  back  on 
me,  neber,"  and  I  said  that  I  would  wait  and  test  his  confidence  in  woman- 
hood. It  appeared  to  me  that  we  were  having  hard  times  with  our  love  af- 
fairs in  California.  All  of  our  ventures  were  destined  to  end  in  disappoint- 
ment and  disaster. 

The  next  morning  we  resumed  our  journey,  crossed  the  low  range  of 
mountains,  forded  the  San  Felipe  Creek,  then  camped  in  the  very  place 
where  we  had  encountered  the  Apache  chief  and  his  warriors.  There  were 
no  signs  of  savages  in  the  vicinity,  and  the  only  troublesome  guests  we  had 
were  the  coyotes,  and  they  made  unwelcome  music  all  night,  but  did  not 


Lewey  and  I.  393 


venture  near  enough  to  steal  from  our  larder,  fearing  the  fire  which  we  kept 
burning  to  keep  bears  at  a  distance. 

The  evening  of  the  fourth  day  from  our  gold  mine  we  galloped  up  to  the 
lonely  ranche,  where  we  had  stopped  the  first  night  from  San  Diego.  The 
owner  was  sitting  in  his  patio  when  we  arrived,  and  near  him  were  his 
handsome  daughter  and  faded  wife.  The  Mexican  was  much  surprised  to 
see  us,  and  gave  us  a  cordial  welcome,  but  the  girl,  as  soon  as  she  saw 
Lewey,  entered  the  house  in  a  hurry,  and  did  not  again  appear  all  the  even- 
ing. The  meeting  with  one  who  had  professed  to  love  her  a  few  months 
before  was  evidently  too  much  for  the  young  lady's  nerves  and  presence  of 
mind.  I  could  see  that  the  reception  nettled  my  friend,  but  I  said  not  a 
word,  and  when  supper  was  served,  to  which  we  contributed  coffee  and  su- 
gar, the  father  grew  confidential  to  his  visitors. 

"  Florencia,"  he  said,  "  is  a  little  modest  about  appearing  before  men  just 
now.  She  was  married  a  few  months  since  to  our  neighboring  ranchero, 
Tobias,  the  same  one  you  met  the  first  few  hours  out  from  San  Diego.  He 
is  a  brave  man,  and  will  make  her  a  good  husband.  Better  than  either  of 
you.  She  is  home  on  a  visit,  or  you  might  have  missed  seeing  her.  For 
some  weeks  after  you  were  gone  she  could  talk  only  of  the  brave  gringos, 
but  the  sighs  of  the  ranchero  became  warm,  and  the  result  was  a  wedding. 
They  are  very  happy  together.  He  bears  the  same  name  as  myself,  and 
for  some  months  we  have  looked  upon  him  as  one  of  out  family,  as  now 
he  is  in  reality." 

Lewey  uttered  a  suppressed  groan,  and  said  that  he  could  not  eat  much 
supper,  but  smoked  a  good  deal,  and  we  went  to  bed  early. 

"  Lewey,"  I  said,  as  we  rolled  ourselves  up  in  our  blankets,  "  what  was  it 
you  said  about  a  certain  girl  being  ever  constant  for  your  sake?  " 

"  Oh,  let  me  to  sleep  go,"  was  the  answer  in  a  pettish  tone.  "  You  dink 
you  is  funny,  don't  you  ?  " 

"  We  have  had  hard  luck  with  our  loves,  and  perhaps  it  is  just  as  well, 
old  fellow.  If  we  had  married  we  should  never  have  found  a  fortune  with 
our  wives  as  we  have  in  mother  earth,"  I  remarked. 

The  only  answer  was  a  snore  and  a  kick,  and  I  let  my  French  friend  and 
his  injured  vanity  rest  for  the  night. 

We  were  off  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  even  before  the  sun  was  up. 
As  we  rode  out  of  the  patio  I  caught  a  brief  glimpse  of  Florencia  in  the 
doorway,  and  I  wondered  if  she  thought  of  her  flirtation  with  my  friend, 
and  how  I  had  interrupted  it,  the  night  before  we  fought  the  Indians  and 
defeated  them. 


394  Lewey  and  /. 


As  we  stood  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  that  overlooked  the  valley,  and 
glanced  at  the  lonely  adobe  ranche,  Lewey  relieved  his  pent-up  feelings  by 
asking,  — 

"  I  vonder  if  dar  is  von  voman  in  all  dis  vorld  dat  true  is  to  man?  " 

"  There  is  still  one  more  chance,  my  friend,"  I  said.  "  You  can  now  fall 
back  on  the  jailor's  daughter.  If  she  has  forgotten  you  then  I  am  willing 
to  believe  all  that  your  thoughts  imply." 

He  uttered  an  exclamation  of  disgust,  and  we  resumed  our  journey,  and 
all  that  forenoon  we  galloped  over  the  mesa  lands,  the  arid  sands,  and  at 
four  o'clock  sighted  the  sleepy  little  town  of  San  Diego,  just  as  the  people 
were  awakening  from  their  usual  siesta.  The  first  person  we  saw  whom  we 
knew  was  Captain  Fitch.  He  could  hardly  realize  that  the  two  bronzed 
boys  in  Mexican  costume  were  the  ones  he  had  aided  some  months  before, 
and  had  returned  in  safety,  and  able  by  their  papers  to  pass  all  over  the 
country  without  question,  standing  high  in  the  estimation  of  General  Castro 
and  his  officers,  and  also  in  the  esteem  of  the  Americans  with  whom  we  had 
been  brought  in  contact. 

He  insisted  that  we  should  take  up  our  residence  at  his  house,  free  of  all 
expense,  until  a  vessel  sailed  from  the  port,  but  we  had  to  decline  the  offer 
on  account  of  Scotch  Jack,  whose  feelings  we  feared  would  be  hurt  if  we 
neglected  him  and  his  hide-house.  But  we  promised  to  visit  San  Diego 
often,  and  then  requested  the  captain  to  place  in  his  safe  for  secure  keeping 
the  gold  coin  and  nuggets  we  owned.  If  he  was  surprised  before,  the  sight 
of  so  much  wealth  was  a  greater  wonder  to  him.  He  was  anxious  to  learn 
where  the  bonanza  was  located,  but  we  preferred  to  keep  the  place  a  secret, 
as  we  thought  that  we  could  sell  out  our  rights  for  a  handsome  sum,  and  we 
did,  for  Captain  Fitch  formed  a  company,  and  purchased  our  interest  for 
ten  thousand  dollars  in  gold,  and  the  organization  prospered  for  some  years 
after  peace  was  declared.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  General  Kearney  and 
Commodore  Stockton,  with  their  combined  forces,  marched  from  San  Diego 
to  Los  Angeles,  and  camped  for  a  day  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  where 
we  found  the  nuggets,  yet  never  saw  so  much  as  the  color  of  gold.  One 
reason  is  they  never  looked  for  it,  or  supposed  that  the  precious  ore  was  in 
the  earth  beneath  their  feet. 

We  saw  our  treasure  packed  away  in  safety,  took  a  receipt  for  the  same, 
and  then  promising  to  call  and  dine  the  next  day,  mounted  our  horses  to 
ride  to  the  beach. 

Just  as  we  were  moving  off  the  jolly  red  face  of  Captain  Fitch  was  lighted 
up  with  a  smile  as  he  shouted  after  us,  — 


Lewey  and  I.  395 


"  Boys,  you  need  not  be  afraid  to  come  up  to  the  town  at  any  time.  The 
jailor's  daughter  is  married,  and  out  of  the  market." 

"  Anuder  von,"  muttered  Lewey.  "Shall  ve  eber  hear  de  end  of  'em? 
O  voman,  voman,  thy  name  is  forgetfulness  of  all  de  holy  feelin's  of  de  na- 
ture," and  then  his  head  was  bent  for  a  moment  upon  his  breast,  and  when 
he  looked  up  there  was  a  smile  on  his  face  as  he  said,  — 

"  I  is  glad  of  it.  The  fate  of  hand  is  ever  ober  us.  Vot  is  deir  gain  is 
our  loss.  Alons,  ve  vill  do  better  in  France." 

It  was  about  six  o'clock  when  we  reached  the  hide-house.  The  harbor 
was  entirely  clear  of  shipping,  and  the  bay  looked  peaceful  and  sleepy  un- 
der the  summer's  sun.  There  was  no  work  going  on  ashore,  and  Scotch 
Jack  sat  on  the  doorstep  of  his  hide-house  smoking  a  black  pipe,  the  same 
one  he  had  used  for  a  year  or  more.  As  we  drew  up,  the  old  sailor  merely 
glanced  at  us,  and  asked,  — 

"  What  in  bloody  thunder  does  you  greasers  want  here  ?  " 

We  asked  him  a  question  in  Spanish,  but  he  waved  us  off  with  majestic 
dignity. 

"  Go  away  from  here,"  he  said.  "  We  can't  gam  together,  and  you 
knows  it." 

"  Jack,  old  boy,  don't  you  recollect  our  hail?  "  we  asked,  and  then  the 
ancient  salt  gave  a  yell  that  was  heard  all  over  the  beach,  and  he  came  to- 
ward us  with  outstretched  hands,  his  hard  face  lighted  up  with  joy  at  our 
unexpected  return. 

For  a  few  minutes  he  could  not  speak  he  was  so  excited,  but  as  soon  as 
we  had  dismounted  and  entered  the  old  house  his  feelings  found  vent,  and 
he  went  to  the  door  and  gave  a  yell  that  brought  all  the  members  of  the 
beach  gang  to  the  door  to  see  what  the  matter  was. 

"  We  will  have  a  reception  tonight,  lads,"  Jack  cried.  "  Here,  you  kana- 
ka, take  this  dollar,  and  trot  up  to  the  town  and  get  the  money's  worth  of 
aguardiente.  We  '11  have  a  roarin'  punch  by  and  by,  and  every  one  shall 
get  a  fair  share." 

"  But,  Jack,"  we  said,  "  we  have  returned  poor,  and  can't  repay  the 
money." 

"  It  makes  no  hodds,  lads.  I  has  some  pesos,  and  you  shall  share  with 
me  to  the  last  real.  Here  is  your  home,  and  here  you  is  welcome.  Blank 
that  kanaka,  why  don't  he  move  ?  And  I  wants  a  drink  so  bad.'' 

There  had  been  but  few  changes  at  the  beach,  and  work  was  not  very 
brisk.  We  were  gladly  welcomed  back,  and  required  to  tell  all  the  news, 
but  after  we  had  taken  possession  of  our  bunks,  and  stowed  our  traps  away, 


396  Lewey  and  I. 


secured  and  fed  our  horses,  supper  was  prepared,  and  over  our  pipes  we 
told  .0  an  admiring  crowd  all  our  adventures.  I  am  sorry  to  state  that  the 
kanaka  did  not  return  with  the  rum  that  evening,  as  he  sampled  it  on  the 
way,  and  got  very  drunk,  for  which  we  should  have  rejoiced,  as  we  were 
very  tired,  and  needed  rest  more  than  a  reception,  had  not  Jack  been  so 
disappointed  in  his  attempts  at  hospitality. 

We  found  our  chests  and  clothes  undisturbed.  Our  shipmate  had  taken 
good  care  of  them,  even  if  he  had  not  expected  to  see  us  again.  The  war 
had  not  troubled  the  people  at  the  hide-house,  and  the  few  vessels  on  the 
coast,  engaged  in  collecting  queros,  came  and  went  undisturbed  by  the 
Mexican  authorities.  Some  parties  had  spiked  the  guns  in  the  little  presi- 
dio at  Ballast  Point,  and  the  damages  had  never  been  repaired,  so  there 
was  clear  sailing  in  and  out  of  the  handsome  bay. 

At  breakfast  Jack  was  very  anxious  to  know  if  we  were  married,  and 
when  informed  that  our  love  venture  had  not  been  a  success  his  gratifica- 
tion was  great,  and  he  begged  us  to  remember  the  advice  he  had  given 
some  time  before. 

In  the  afternoon  we  mustered  enough  good  clothes  to  dress  in  proper 
costume,  and  rode  to  town  to  dine  with  Captain  Fitch.  Here  we  met  the 
old  alcalda,  submitted  to  him  our  papers  from  General  Castro,  and  he  was 
pleased  to  say  that  we  had  nothing  to  fear  from  any  one.  It  was  after  din- 
ner that  we  made  a  bargain  with  our  host  and  some  other  Americans, 
whereby  we  sold  our  bonanza  to  them  for  the  neat  little  sum  of  ten  thousand 
dollars,  all  in  gold  doubloons ,  which  added  to  the  amount  we  had  on  hand, 
made  quite  a  respectable  fortune  for  us.  Ours  was  the  first  prolific  mine 
ever  discovered  in  California,  but  the  find  was  kept  secret  for  years,  for 
fear  of  robbery  and  violence.  Only  a  few  men  worked  the  placer,  and  those 
at  odd  spells  to  escape  observation.  A  large  amount  of  gold,  coarse  and 
nuggets,  was  taken  out,  and  Captain  Fitch  was  made  very  rich  by  the  mine, 
as  well  as  those  who  joined  him  in  the  enterprise. 

After  dinner  we  walked  to  the  calabozo,  and  looked  over  the  place  where 
we  were  imprisoned  for  a  day  or  two.  We  saw  the  jailor's  daughter,  and 
although  she  was  not  overpowered  with  joy  at  the  sight  of  our  faces,  she 
did  manage  to  blush  a  little  as  she  presented  us  to  her  husband.  We  gave 
her  an  ounce  of  gold,  and  the  act  won  her  thanks  even  if  it  did  not  her 
heart. 

We  kept  Juan  in  our  employ  to  look  after  the  horses  and  wait  upon  us, 
and  one  day  we  disclosed  to  Jack  that  we  were  not  as  poor  as  we  seemed, 
and  the  old  salt  was  rejoiced  at  the  information,  but  when  we  proposed  to 


Lewey  and  /.  397 


give  a  feast  to  all  of  our  old  friends  on  the  beach,  and  made  our  shipmate 
president  of  the  day,  with  orders  to  ge^  up  the  best  dinner  that  money 
could  buy,  Jack  was  in  paradise.  He  calculated  that  half  a  barrel  of  aguar- 
diente might  fill  the  bill,  and  that  very  little  meat  and  pilot  bread  would  be 
sufficient  for  a  regular  blow-out,  such  as  sailors  enjoy.  But  we  vowed  that 
we  would  not  have  any  drunken  rioting  going  on,  and  Jack  was  forced  to 
submit  to  cold  punch,  and  not  very  strong  at  that. 

The  dinner  was  served  in  our  hide-house,  all  the  tables  and  tin  ware  on 
the  beach  being  pressed  into  use  for  the  occasion,  and  every  cook  volun- 
teered his  services.  We  bought  all  the  luxuries  we  could  at  San  Diego, 
fruit  and  fresh  meats,  and  invited  Captain  Fitch,  the  alcalda,  and  all  the 
foreign  residents  to  come  down  and  share  in  the  feast.  They  accepted  the 
invitation,  and  it  was  something  worth  seeing  to  notice  Jack,  with  Lewey 
and  I  on  his  right  and  left,  presiding.  He  made  a  speech,  and  it  was  a  re- 
markable one.  He  hoped  the  greasers  would  get  licked  in  the  war,  which 
was  not  in  good  taste,  as  Mexicans  were  present,  but  as  they  did  not  un- 
derstand a  word  that  was  said  it  did  not  matter  much.  Lewey  and  I  re- 
sponded to  the  toasts  complimentary  to  ourselves,  and  just  as  the  fun  grew 
fast  and  a  little  uproarious  we  heard  the  sound  of  a  heavy  gun  off  Point 
Loma,  and  rushing  out  to  see  what  it  was  all  about,  beheld  a  fleet  of 
United  States  ships  entering  the  harbor,  one  of  them  flying  the  pennant  of 
a  commodore. 

"  Diablo,"  muttered  the  Mexicans,  and  mounting  their  horses  rode  for 
San  Diego  as  fast  as  spurs  could  urge  their  steeds,  while  Scotch  Jack 
loaded  up  the  old  muskets,  and  fired  volley  after  volley  as  a  welcome  to  the 
visitors.  Then  feeling  tired  with  his  exertions  went  back  to  the  feast,  and 
with  the  aid  of  companions  finished  the  punch,  stretched  himself  on  a  chest, 
fell  asleep,  and  did  not  awaken  until  the  next  morning,  so  thirsty  that  there 
was  fear  of  a  water  famine  for  a  day  or  two. 

The  ships  came  to  anchor  in  a  grand  and  seaman-like  manner,  and  then 
a  cutter  was  sent  on  shore  to  learn  the  news.  Lewey  and  I  walked  down 
to  the  beach,  and  encountered  a  lieutenant,  and  as  we  were  dressed  in  civil- 
ian's clothes,  and  no  longer  wore  the  garb  of  sailors,  we  were  treated  very 
politely,  and  requested  to  go  on  board  and  submit  to  an  interview  on  the 
part  of  Commodore  Stockton,  who  was  anxious  to  see  us,  or  any  one  else, 
if  information  could  be  obtained. 

We  had  no  objection,  and  found  the  commodore  a  pleasant  man,  a  little 
bit  on  his  dignity,  as  one  would  naturally  suppose.  He  was  quite  pleased 
when  he  learned  that  we  had  just  arrived  from  Los  Angeles,  and  was  par- 


398  Lewey  and  I. 


ticular  in  his  inquiries  as  to  the  route,  and  whether  artillery  could  be  trans- 
ported through  the  canyons  and^gorges,  over  the  mountains  and  sandy 
plains.  We  said  that  there  were  no  very  formidable  obstacles  to  overcome, 
and  then  he  hinted  that  he  would  give  us  commissions  as  acting  midship- 
men if  we  would  join  his  vessel,  and  serve  as  guides  over  the  trails  to  the 
Pueblo.  But  this  we  positively  declined,  on  the  ground  that  we  had  taken 
an  oath  of  neutrality,  and  would  not  violate  our  vows,  relating  the  circum- 
stances of  our  enlisting  in  the  Mexican  army.  He  listened  very  attentive- 
ly to  all  we  had  to  say,  and  of  course  smiled  when  we  mentioned  our  hopes 
of  marriage.  However,  we  recommended  Juan  as  a  guide,  and  the  peon 
was  engaged  at  once,  at  a  salary  so  large  that  he  played  monte  for  a  week 
before  his  first  month's  wages  were  exhausted. 

The  commodore  was  here  joined  by  General  Kearney  and  a  company  of 
United  States  dragoons,  having  marched  overland.  Then  commenced  the 
formation  of  a  force  that  was  destined  to  end  the  war  in  California.  The 
navy  furnished  five  hundred  sailors  and  marines,  and  six  pieces  of  artillery, 
for  an  advance  on  Los  Angeles,  and  let  me  here  state  that  the  Americans 
met  the  Mexicans  at  the  Rio  San  Gabriel,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  from  San  Diego,  on  the  nth  of  January,  1847,  won  a  battle,  and  en- 
tered the  Pueblo  in  triumph.  General  Flores  and  his  cavalry  fled,  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Colonel  Fremont,  near  San  Fernando,  and  that  was  the  end 
of  the  struggle,  but  not  of  the  controversy  between  the  naval  commodores, 
General  Kearney  and  Colonel  Fremont.  There  were  constant  quarrels, 
uncalled  for  and  unseemly,  but  that  is  a  matter  of  history  on  record,  and 
does  not  concern  my  yarn,  so  I  shall  not  espouse  either  side,  for  it  would 
help  no  one  at  this  late  day. 

While  the  expedition  was  fitting  out  there  was  such  a  demand  for  good 
horses  that  Commodore  Stockton  offered  us  three  hundred  dollars  each  for 
our  animals  and  equipments.  .It  cost  us  a  bitter  pang  to  part  from  two 
such  noble  mustangs,  but  we  could  not  use  them  any  longer,  or  carry  them 
with  us,  so  accepted  the  money,  and  Juan  was  continued  in  charge  of  the 
steeds  until  Los  Angeles  was  reached. 

While  the  preparations  were  going  on  the  schooner  California  drifted  in- 
to the  harbor,  on  her  way  to  Mazatland,  with  a  few  Mexicans  who  had  ob- 
tained permission  to  leave  the  country,  and  stop  at  the  latter  port,  then  in 
possession  of  the  Americans.  Captain  Cooper  was  flying  the  United  States 
flag,  and  had  a  pass  from  the  commodore  to  exempt  his  vessel  from  capture, 
in  case  some  of  our  national  ships  might  overhaul  him  on  the  ocean.  We 
suggested  to  Captain  Cooper  that  we  should  like  to  take  passage  with  him, 


Lewey  and  I.  399 


thinking  that  we  could  get  home  from  Mazatland  quicker  than  from  Califor- 
nia, as  no  vessel  was  reidy  to  load  for  Boston,  or  any  other  port.  The  old 
gentleman  bit  his  hand,  and  then  said  he  should  be  delighted  to  have  us 
for  company,  and  would  not  charge  us  a  real  if  we  would  stand  his  watch, 
.  for  he  was  a  hard  sleeper,  and  could  not  keep  awake  nights.  But  he  added 
that  we  would  have  to  obtain  a  pass  from  Commodore  Stockton,  as  he  was 
running  matters  to  suit  himself  in  all  things  appertaining  to  California  and 
the  schooner.  We  waited  on  the  naval  officer,  and  stated  what  we  desired, 
and  he  did  not  hesitate  a  moment  to  grant  our  request,  at  the  same  time 
did  not  fail  to  hint  that  we  should  do  much  better  by  remaining  with  him, 
and  accepting  positions  that  he  thought  the  secretary  of  the  navy  would 
confirm  upon  his  recommendations.  But  we  once  more  declined  the  tempt- 
ing offer,  at  the  same  time  thanking  the  commodore  for  his  kindness. 

We  had  some  small  boxes  made,  marked  them  "  minerals,"  and  packed 
away  all  our  nuggets,  no  one  but  Captain  Fitch  knowing  their  true  value, 
for  gold  was  almost  unknown  in  its  native  state,  except  a  little  dust  at  Los 
Angeles,  in  those  days.  The  boxes  we  shipped  on  board  the  schooner,  put 
them  in  the  run  out  of  sight,  and  the  day  the  armed  expedition  started  the 
old  California  sailed  for  the  lower  part  of  the  coast. 

There  were  only  six  Mexican  passengers,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  so  that 
we  were  pleasantly  located.  We  took  a  kind  farewell  of  all  our  friends, 
left  in  Captain  Fitch's  hands  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  benefit 
of  Scotch  Jack,  and  when  we  told  him  what  we  had  done  the  honest  old  tar 
shed  tears,  and  swore  that  he  would  not  take  the  money,  but  thought  better 
of  it  after  a  while,  accepted  the  present,  and  much  good  it  did  him  in  his 
old  age,  we  hope,  when  he  needed  a  shot  in  the  locker. 

As  the  California  drifted  out  past  Ballast  Point  Jack  and  some  of  the  peo- 
ple on  the  beach  fired  muskets  as  a  salute,  and  Lewey  and  I,  and  dear  old 
faithful  Jack,  our  dog,  acknowledged  the  compliment  by  three  cheers  and  a 
series  of  barks,  and  the  last  we  saw  of  San  Diego  Bay  the  sailors  and  ma- 
rines were  on  their  march,  the  hide-house  people  were  drinking  our  health 
in  native  wine,  and  the  Scotchman  was  straining  his  eyes  to  get  the  last 
glance  he  ever  had  of  his  two  young  shipmates  to  whom  he  had  acted  a 
friendly  part  for  so  many  months. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  said  Captain  Cooper,  as  we  cleared  Point  Loma  and 
the  thick  kelp,  with  a  strong  northwest  wind,  "  I  did  n't  sleep  well  last 
night.  Keep  the  old  craft  moving  on  about  a  southwest  by  south  course, 
and  I  gue;s  she  '11  clear  everything  all  right.  If  she  don't,  luff  up  a  little 
until  she  does.  I  '11  turn  in  for  a  nap.  Call  me  if  there  is  anything  strange 


400  Lewey  and  I. 


and  new,  and  not  unless  there  is.  There  are  some  islands  off  the  coast, 
and  our  course  brings  us  near  them.  Keep  your  eyes  peeled,  and  don't  run 
over  them,  for  there  is  room  enough  for  all  of  us." 

And  the  old  gentleman  tumbled  into  his  berth,  all  standing,  and  did  not 
wake  up  until  the  next  forenoon,  when  he  declared  that  he  felt  like  a  uew 
man  after  twenty-four  hours  of  solid  sleep. 

I  do  not  think  that  in  all  California  there  was  a  kinder  hearted  man  than 
Captain  Cooper,  the  Mexicanized  American.  It  was  related  of  him  that  at 
one  time  he  employed  a  greaser  to  look  after  one  of  his  ranches,  and  the 
fellow  sold  most  of  the  cattle,  and  put  the  money  on  the  wrong  card  at 
monte.  Captain  Cooper  had  the  Mexican  arrested,  he  was  tried  and  con- 
victed, and  sentenced  to  six  months  in  a  chain-gang.  When  his  time  ex- 
pired he  called  upon  his  old  employer  and  asked  for  aid,  with  all  the  assur- 
ance of  a  beggar. 

"  Not  a  real,"  roared  the  admiral. 

"  I  am  poor,  and  in  need  of  clothes,"  pleaded  the  Mexican  greaser,  and 
if  Cooper  did  n't  take  the  rascal  home,  fit  him  out  with  a  complete  dress, 
gave  him  five  silver  dollars,  and  ended  by  once  more  putting  the  half-breed 
back  on  the  farm,  where  he  again  stole  cattle,  as  a  matter  of  course. 
This  is  but  a  sample  of  the  generosity  of  the  old  salt,  and  yet  I  think  he 
died  quite  well  off  in  the  State  of  his  adoption  some  years  since. 

Lewey  and  I  stood  watch  and  watch,  for  there  were  no  first  or  second  of- 
ficers on  board,  and  the  sailors  obeyed  our  orders  if  they  felt  like  it,  and  re- 
fused if  they  did  not.  However,  we  hit  on  a  plan  that  secured  respect  and 
prompt  obedience.  There  were  several  casks  of  aguardiente  among  the 
cargo,  and  we  pumped  out  one  or  two  buckets  full  a  week,  bottled  it,  and 
then  promised  the  men  liberal  tots  of  grog  at  the  end  of  the  watch  if  they 
would  keep  a  good  lookout  ahead,  and  make  and  take  in  sail  quickly.  The 
temptation  was  so  great  that  we  had  no  more  trouble  on  the  voyage,  the 
fear  of  not  getting  the  liquor  prompting  the  sailors  to  be  active  and 
vigilant. 

We  kept  dead  reckoning  all  the  way,  yet  once  in  a  while  the  captain 
would  take  a  noon  observation,  then  eat  his  dinner,  and  have  a  siesta,  again 
retiring  quietly  at  eight  bells  in  the  evening,  and  although  the  wind  might 
blow,  and  the  vessel  roll,  and  the  sails  slap,  the  old  man  never  lost  an  hour's 
sleep,  for  there  was  no  waking  him  up  until  morning. 

In  the  meantime  Lewey  and  I  enjoyed  ourselves  with  the  lady  and  gentle- 
men passengers  as  soon  as  they  got  on  their  sea-legs.  We  would  sit  and 
hear  them  converse  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  and  while  they  were  patriotic 


Lewey  and  I.  401 


enough  to  dislike  those  who  had  overrun  their  country,  they  had  the  man- 
liness to  admit  that  California  would  be  a  great  and  flourishing  State  under 
American  rule,  and  increase  in  population  much  faster  than  the  Mexicans 
could  hope  for. 

We  were  three  weeks  running  down  to  Mazatland,  and  without  a  serious 
disaster.  There  were  several  of  our  national  ships  lying  there,  the  town 
being  in  possession  of  the  Americans.  We  were  boarded  before  we 
dropped  anchor,  but  the  pass  of  Commodore  Stockton  was  respected,  so 
we  entered  the  inner  harbor,  where  we  were  secure  from  south  westers,  and 
found  ourselves  close  to  the  town,  and  the  United  States  flag  floating  over 
all  the  public  buildings  and  presidio. 

The  next  day  Lewey  and  I  went  on  shore  for  a  visit,  but  there  were  so 
many  men-of-war's  men  and  marines  encountered,  none  too  sober,  JLhat  we 
did  not  care  to  remain  but  a  short  time.  We  learned  that  there  was  an 
English  clipper  bark,  the  Helena,  of  London,  Captain  Henry  Thornton, 
lying  in  the  outer  harbor,  all  loaded,  and  ready  to  sail  in  a  few  day^s  for 
England.  By  some  means  the  vessel  was  permitted  by  the  Laval  authori- 
ties to  take  in  a  cargo  of  logwood  in  spite  of  Mazatland  being  blockaded. 
How  it  was  accomplished  I  never  knew,  but  suppose  through  favor. 

Just  as  we  were  ready  to  return  to  our  vessel  Captain  Thornton,  a 
large,  fine-looking,  gentlemanly  person  came  to  the  landing,  in  company 
with  the  master  of  the  schooner  California.  We  were  introduced,  and  re- 
quested the  privilege  of  taking  passage  in  the  Helena  for  London,  the  most 
expeditious  manner  of  returning  home  for  Lewey  and  myself.  Captain 
Thornton  invited  us  to  go  on  board  with  him,  and  see  what  accommoda- 
tions he  had,  and  whether  they  would  suit  us.  We  did  so,  Captain  Cooper 
making  one  of  the  party.  While  being  pulled  to  the  vessel  by  four  ap- 
prentices of  the  bark,  Captain  Cooper  was  pleased  to  say  so  many  kind 
words  in  our  behalf  that  Captain  Thornton  became  quite  affable,  and 
stated  we  could  certainly  go  with  him  if  we  were  satisfied  with  such  state- 
rooms as  he  was  able  to  place  at  our  disposal,  and  even  consented  to  take 
jack,  the  dog,  without  extra  charge,  as  he  liked  animals  as  well  as  our- 
selves. Bancroft  Ubr*** 

The  Helena  was  only  about  six  hundred  tons  burden,  and  as  handsome 
a  model  as  the  Admittance,  but  she  carried  more  men,  a  crew  of  thorough 
sailors,  and  four  apprentices,  one  of  the  latter  being  the  only  son  of  the 
owner  of  the  vessel,  yet  he  was  treated  just  like  the  rest  of  the  lads,  no 
better  and  no  worse,  and  did  not  presume  to  put  on  airs  to  his  messmates 
on  account  of  his  parent's  wealth. 


402  Lewey  and  I. 


We  found  that  there  were  two  large,  vacant  staterooms,  much  better  than 
we  hoped  for,  and  while  supping  with  Captain  Thornton,  agreed  to  his 
terms  for  passage,  only  two  hundred  dollars  each,  which  was  quite  reason- 
able, and  we  thought  ourselves  lucky  to  secure  such  quarters.  We  had 
money  enough  to  afford  luxuries,  and  had  no  idea  of  doing  seaman's  duty 
while  homeward  bound. 

The  next  day  we  transferred  our  luggage  and  boxes  of  minerals  to  the 
Helena,  stowed  everything  out  of  sight  so  as  not  to  excite  comment,  went 
on  shore  and  paid  our  passage  money  to  the  consignees,  purchased  a  sup- 
ply of  cigars,  tobacco,  and  other  luxuries  that  would  prove  acceptable,  and 
the  following  day  the  Helena  up  anchor,  and  we  stood  to  the  southerd,  with 
a  fresh  breeze  from  the  northwest,  and  the  best  wishes  of  all  the  naval  of- 
ficers we  had  met.  Captain  Cooper  remained  on  board  until  the  last  mo- 
ment, and  then  bit  his  maimed  hand,  and  bade  us  good-by.  We  never  saw 
the  gallant  old  gentleman  again.  He  died  in  California  some  years  ago, 
respected  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

I  have  not  the  space  to  relate  many  incidents  of  our  voyage  home.  It 
was  a  lazy  life  Lewey  and  I  led,  with  nothing  to  do,  able  to  sleep  at  night, 
and  not  obliged  to  turn  out  to  reef  topsails  or  furl  them.  We  had  a  good 
crew,  nice  mates,  and  a  very  dignified  and  jolly  captain.  That  is,  he 
was  clever  and  kind,  but  knew  his  position  and  maintained  it,  except  on 
Saturday  nights,  when  he  threw  off  his  reserve,  and  over  a  bowl  of  punch 
told  stories,  sang  songs,  toasted  sweethearts  and  wives,  and  poked  fun  at 
Lewey  and  myself  because  we  were  French  and  Yankee.  We  did  not 
drink  as  much  as  suited  his  ideas  of  a  jolly  time,  but  the  master  could  take 
our  portion  and  never  grumble,  so  we  got  along  very  well.  On  this  vessel 
grog  was  served  out  to  the  men  at  eight  bells  (noon)  every  day,  and  a  stiff 
tot  was  also  given  every  time  topsails  were  reefed.  To  keep  from  rusting 
once  in  a  while  Lewey  and  I  would  lend  a  hand  in  taking  in  sail  off  Cape 
Horn,  and  then  insist  that  we  were  entitled  to  splice  the  mainbrace  like  the 
rest.  The  steward  always  allowed  our  claim,  and  we  would  pass  the  liquor 
over  to  some  of  the  old  men-of-war's  men,  much  to  their  delight. 

On  the  whole  it  was  a  pleasant  passage.  We  had  the  usual  amount  of 
rough  and  cold  weather  off  Cape  Horn,  but  there  was  always  a  fire  in  the 
cabin,  so  we  did  not  mind  it  much.  Our  vessel  was  fast,  the  winds  favora- 
ble, and  we  soon  left  the  Pacific  Ocean,  entered  the  Atlantic,  and  headed 
north,  and  on  the  first  day  of  June  we  sighted  Land's  End,  took  a  pilot,  and 
arrived  at  the  entrance  gate  of  London  Dock  three  days  afterward. 

Lewey  and  I  found  modest  but  convenient  lodgings  near  Mile  End,  and 


Lewey  and  I.  403 


as  soon  as  we  were  settled  sold  our  gold  for  just  ten  thousand  five  hundred 
pounds,  and  when  we  came  to  exchange  all  of  our  funds  for  English  money 
we  were  worth  about  thirty-two  thousand  dollars  each,  not  a  bad  fortune 
for  two  adventurous  boys,  who  had  started  in  life,  with  but  little  money  they 
could  call  their  own,  at  San  Diego. 

Then  came  up  a  serious  question.  We  had  tried  not  to  think  of  the  sub- 
ject, and  as  just  often  as  it  disturbed  our  minds  we  had  pushed  the  phan- 
tom one  side.  It  was  this  —  how  soon  before  Lewey  and  I  must  part  ?  We 
knew  that  we  had  got  to  separate,  but  each  dreaded  to  allude  to  the  matter, 
and  so  we  would  think  of  past  adventures,  sigh,  and  go  and  take  a  long 
walk,  enjoying  the  sights  of  London,  which  we  saw  for  the  first  time,  and 
under  favorable  auspices,  for  Captain  Thornton  was  our  guide  and  council- 
lor in  all  things,  and  it  was  by  his  advice  that  we  deposited  our  money  in  a 
safe  bank,  so  that  we  could  not  be  deprived  of  it  by  robbery. 

"  Lewey,"  I  asked  one  day,  "  when  are  you  going  home  ?  " 

"  Ven  you  goes  vid  me,  not  afore,"  was  the  answer,  and  question  him  all 
that  I  might  that  was  the  only  reply  I  received. 

I  reasoned  with  my  friend,  I  talked  to  him  earnestly,  but  go  he  would  not 
unless  I  went  with  him,  and  so  at  last  I  consented  to  pay  a  visit  to  Havre- 
de-Grace,  and  see  his  father  and  mother.  Then  I  wrote  a  long  letter  to  my 
guardian  and  friends  in  Boston,  the  first  for  more  than  a  year,  and  one 
morning  Lewey  and  I  took  the  steamer,  and  landed  on  French  soil. 

Lewey  was  not  enthusiastic  as  he  stepped  on  shore.  He  seemed  a  little 
dazed,  dejected,  and  I  think  wished  himself  once  more  in  California,  care- 
less and  free.  Sailors  have  such  feelings,  especially  those  who  wander  all 
over  the  face  of  the  globe,  and  come  home  for  a  welcome,  yet  dread  to 
meet  it  for  some  unaccountable  reason,  and  the  sense  of  isolation  and  de- 
jection does  not  wear  off  for  several  days. 

"  Thorn,"  said  Lewey,  as  we  walked  up  the  dock  toward  a  coffee-house, 
"  if  ve  eber  part  dink  of  me  as  ve  vere  ven  boys  together,  full  of  vigor  and 
de  true  friendship  vot  skall  neber  die  in  mine  heart.  Remember  de  night 
at  de  foot  of  de  mountains,  ven  you  vas  homesick  and  shed  de  tears,  and  I 
takes  your  votch,  and  hums  de  song  to  make  you  dink  I  vas  happy,  but  I 
vas  vusser  den  you,  and  now  I  is  more  like  de  crying  den  on  dat  dark  night, 
and  I  vish  ve  vas  back  agin,  and  if  you  say  de  vord  ve  vill  go,  and  mine 
friends  vill  know  me  no  more." 

We  went  into  a  cafe*  and  called  for  some  coffee  and  a  bottle  of  vin 
ordinaire,  and  there  I  talked  to  my  friend  for  an  hour  or  more  on  the  folly 
of  returning  to  California,  and  by  the  time  I  had  concluded  we  were  both  in 


404  Lewey  and  I. 


tears,  and  Lewey  had  made  up  his  mind  to  go  and  see  his  parents.  They 
lived  a  short  distance  outside  of  the  city,  and  calling  a  voiture  he  left  me, 
promising  to  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  waited  for  him  until  nearly  dark,  passing  the  time  the  best  way  that  I 
could,  for  it  was  dull  work  for  me.  Then  he  came  in  company  with  a  tall, 
white-haired  gentleman,  who  by  his  looks  I  knew  was  Lewey's  father. 

"I  vas  a  surprise,"  my  friend  said,  "and  nearly  kill  de  mudder  and  de 
sister,  sich  a  pretty  girl,  and  vill  do  just  for  you,  and  if  you  vill  fall  in  love 
and  marry  her,  I  happy  can  be." 

"  Speak  French,  Louis,"  said  the  father.  "  Remember  I  am  not  an  Eng- 
lish scholar  like  you  and  your  companion." 

I  was  glad  the  gentleman  did  not  understand  my  friend,  for  his  speech 
made  me  blush,  it  being  the  first  intimation  I  had  received  from  Lewey  that 
he  owned  a  sister.  In  fact  she  was  so  small  when  he  left  home  for  a  wan- 
dering life  that  he  had  not  considered  her  of  the  slightest  consequence,  but 
now,  when  he  returned,  and  saw  what  a  beautiful  girl  she  was,  he  began  to 
feel  proud  of  her: 

General  Artenato,  my  friend's  father,  a  soldier  who  commanded  one  of 
the  forts  of  the  city,  gave  me  a  cordial  welcome,  and  an  invitation  to  take 
up  my  residence  at  his  chateau,  three  miles  from  the  town,  and  on  a  bluff 
that  overlooked  the  ocean  and  English  Channel.  As  the  request  was  not 
one  of  courtesy  alone,  but  sincere  in  every  respect,  I  complied.  Jack  and 
I  entered  the  carriage,  a  porter  looking  after  our  luggage,  and  we  were 
soon  at  the  house,  one  of  the  most  imposing  and  costly  chateaus  that  I  saw 
on  the  road. 

General  Artenato  had  so  many  questions  to  ask  the  son  about  his  travels, 
that  I  did  not  interrupt  their  conversation.  It  was  evident  that  the  wan- 
dering sailor  boy  had  been  forgiven,  and  eccentricities  forgotten.  He  had 
suffered  enough  hardships  without  now  being  taken  to  task  for  his  folly. 
Lewey  had  spoken  of  me  in  terms  of  praise,  I  could  see  that  by  the  defer- 
ence with  which  his  father  treated  me,  and  his  desire  that  I  should  feel 
quite  at  my  ease  in  his  dignified  presence,  but  when  I  was  presented  to  the 
mother  and  daughter,  and  the  former  put  her  arms  around  my  neck  and 
kissed  me,  I  knew  that  she  was  laboring  under  the  impression  that  I  had 
acted  the  part  of  guardian  angel  to  her  boy,  and  brought  him  home  safe  and 
good  through  my  example.  This  was  very  flattering  to  me,  and  I  did  not 
deem  it  wise  to  undeceive  her,  since  a  very  pretty  little  girl,  just  seventeen 
years  of  age,  recently  returned  from  a  convent  school,  gave  me  her  hand  in 
the  most  confiding  manner,  and  then  blushed  at  her  boldness,  but  still  she 


Lewey  and  I.  405 


did  not  fail  to  steal  a  timid  look  at  my  face  to  see  what  kind  of  man  her 
brother's  friend  was  like,  and  as  she  raised  her  dark  eyes  they  met  my 
glance  of  admiration,  and  then  I  flushed,  and  acted  more  like  a  school-boy 
than  a  person  who  had  seen  so  much  of  the  world.  This  exhibition  of 
modesty  on  my  part  so  delighted  Lewey  that  he  laughed,  and  said,  just  to 
give  me  confidence,  speaking  to  his  relatives  in  French, — 

"  I  have  seen  my  American  friend  under  all  kinds  of  difficulties,  as  he 
danced  with  Mexican  senoritas,  when  he  pretended  to  save  the  lives  of 
young  girls,  and  demanded  kisses  in  return  for  his  trouble,  but  this  is  the 
first  time  that  I  ever  knew  him  to  blush,"  and  then  he  laughed,  and  his 
mother  chided  him  for  his  rudeness,  while  the  young  lady  walked  to  the 
window  and  looked  out  upon  the  sea,  and  probably  wondered  why  sailors 
were  so  careless  of  their  reputations,  and  bold  toward  women.  The  gener- 
al did  not  appear  to  think  that  a  few  kisses  were  of  much  account,  for  like 
a  real  Frenchman  he  asked,  — 

"  Are  the  young  ladies  of  California  very  beautiful?  " 

"  Beautiful  ?  "  echoed  Lewey.  "  They  are  the  handsomest  women  in  the 
world,  always  excepting  my  mother  and  sister.  Why,  we  were  near  marry- 
ing two  young  ladies,  whose  eyes  were  black  as  midnight,  and  hair  trailed 
on  the  ground  when  they  walked,  and  they  loved  us  very  dearly  too,  but  a 
wish  to  return  home  kept  us  free." 

Lewey's  sister  appeared  to  have  heard  all  that  she  desired,  for  she 
left  the  apartment,  and  I  was  glad  of  it,  if  my  friend  was  to  continue  the 
conversation  in  the  same  strain. 

I  was  shown  to  my  room,  made  some  changes  in  my  dress,  and  while  I 
was  thus  engaged  Lewey  joined  me. 

"  Thorn,  old  friend,"  he  asked,  "  vot  does  you  dink  of  dat  sister  of 
mine  ? " 

He  always  spoke  English  to  me  when  we  were  alone,  because  it  was 
more  convenient,  and  he  really  thought  that  his  Anglo  Saxon  speech  was 
better  than  his  French. 

"She  is  very  handsome,"  I  said,  and  that  appeared  to  give  him  much 
pleasure. 

"  I  dink  dat  she  is  good  as  she  is  booful.  Now  if  you  von't  act  like  a 
great  fool  you  can  marry  her,  and  den  vot  a  nice  time  ve  could  hab  here. 
No  more  vanderin's,  no  more  sea  life,  and  vid  money  enough  to  lib  on,  vot 
more  could  you  desire  ?  " 

But  just  at  this  moment  the  dinner-bell  rang,  and  we  went  down-stairs, 
and  I  had  the  honor  of  escorting  Mademoiselle  Rose  to  the  salle-a-manger, 


406  Lewey  and  I. 


and  sat  by  her  side  all  through  the  dinner.  She  was  a  little  shy  of  me  at 
first,  but  when  she  did  find  courage  the  questions  came  from  her  mouth 
quite  as  fast  as  I  could  answer  them.  I  told  her  all  about  Lewey's  friend- 
ship, how  we  had  clung  to  each  other  for  more  than  four  years,  our  adven- 
tures in  California,  the  persecutions  we  had  endured  at  the  hands  of  Anto- 
nio Sanchos  and  his  brothers,  the  battles  we  had  witnessed  and  participated 
in,  the  wild  Indians  we  had  killed,  the  ladies  whose  lives  we  had  saved  at 
the  risk  of  our  own,  but  not  one  word  of  the  love-making  or  kissing  her 
brother  had  alluded  to. 

In  fact  I  became  so  eloquent  under  the  influence  of  a  single  glass  of 
champagne  that  I  forgot  there  was  any  one  present  to  listen  to  me  except 
the  young  lady,  and  when  I  happened  to  look  up,  and  saw  that  father,  moth- 
er, son,  and  daughter  were  paying  strict  attention  to  what  I  said,  broke 
down,  and  suddenly  ceased  speaking,  too  much  embarrassed  to  finish 
my  narrative  in  bad  French,  which  no  one  had  the  impoliteness  to  laugh 
at. 

"  Please  continue,  monsieur,"  the  young  lady  pleaded,  but  I  had  said 
enough  for  one  night. 

"  You  will  relate  some  more  adventures  to  me  tomorrow  ?  "  mademoiselle 
asked,  as  we  arose  from  the  table,  and  she  gave  me  a  most  fascinating 
smile. 

"  With  great  pleasure,"  I  answered,  "  if  your  kind  mother  does  not 
object." 

"  She  will  never  refuse  as  long  as  you  continue  to  praise  my  brother. 
He  has  always  been  her  pet  in  spite  of  his  wildness,"  and  then  we  sepa- 
rated for  the  night,  and  I  dreamed  of  Anita  and  Engracia,  the  Ranche 
Refugio,  and  the  dead  girls'  faces  appeared  to  reproach  me  for  forgetting 
them  so  soon. 

But  the  living  and  not  the  dead  were  in  my  mind  the  next  morning 
when  I  awoke.  For  a  long  time  after  I  had  bathed  and  dressed  I  stood  at 
the  window  of  my  chamber,  and  looked  out  upon  the  sea,  and  thought  of 
the  future,  and  asked  myself  a  serious  question,  but  the  answer  was  not 
ready  for  some  weeks.  I  struggled  and  fought  against  the  ebb  tide  that 
was  setting  me  toward  a  dangerous  shoal,  but  the  time  came  when  I  could 
no  longer  resist,  and  then  the  flood  came,  and  drifted  me  into  the  harbor  of 
happiness,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  Lewey,  his  parents,  and  dear  little 
sister. 

I  do  not  know  how  it  came  about.  Perhaps  Rose  loved  me,  like  Desde- 
mona,  for  the  dangers  through  which  I  had  passed,  or  because  of  the  at- 


Lewey  and  I.  407 


tachment  of  her  brother,  and  his  desire  that  I  should  be  a  brother  in  name 
as  well  as  feeling.  I  only  realized  that  one  day  she  placed  her  hand  in 
mine,  and  said  that  she  was  happy  in  the  love  of  an  honest  man,  and  then 
there  was  a  year  of  paradise,  and  such  bliss  as  rarely  falls  to  the  lot  of  us 
poor  mortals. 

Then  there  came  a  black  cloud,  and  I  saw  a  pale,  wan  face,  a  faint  smile, 
felt  a  little  kiss  on  my  lips,  and  knew  no  more  for  many  weeks,  for  there 
was  a  blank  in  my  life.  When  reason  returned  the  first  person  I  saw  was 
Lewey,  seated  at  my  bedside,  holding  one  of  my  hands,  and  showing  the 
compassion  he  felt  in  his  expressive  eyes,  while  Jack  was  lying  on  the 
floor  and  regarding  me  with  mute  looks  of  pity,  such  as  only  a  faithful  dog 
can  show  for  one  it  loves. 

" Thorn,  my  brudder,"  Lewey  whispered,  "you  vill  be  a  man  now  dat 
you  is  most  veil  ?  " 

I  could  not  reply,  but  turned  my  face  to  the  wall,  and  tears  fell  from  my 
eyes  in  torrents  as  my  thoughts  went  back  to  the  past. 

"  Do  you  remember  de  old  times  in  California,"  Lewey  said,  very  softly, 
"  ven  ve  vas  free  from  care,  always  in  de  mischief,  and  inclined  to  dink  dat 
dings  vas  rough  for  us  ?  Yet  ve  alvays  come  out  on  de  top,  because  de  good 
God  directed  all  for  de  best.  He  has  done  so  in  dis  case.  It  is  hard  for 
you,  and  de  rest  of  us,  but  He  ordered  it,  and  ve  must  not  repine." 

Some  weeks  afterward  I  was  enabled  to  leave  my  chamber,  a  premature- 
ly old  young  man,  bent  and  weak  with  grief.  Every  one  was  very  patient 
with  me  and  kind,  but  I  could  no  longer  remain  where  so  many  things  re- 
minded me  of  my  lost  wife  and  child.  I  returned  to  Boston,  settled  up  af- 
fairs with  my  guardian,  and  for  eight  years  traveled  in  every  part  of  the 
globe.  The  wound  healed  at  last,  but  the  scar  remains . 

In  one  corner  of  the  cemetery  at  Havre  is  a  small,  white  marble  monu- 
ment, bearing  the  simple  inscription,  "  ROSE  AND  HER  SON."  It  tells  its 
own  story  more  eloquently  than  words.  Kind  hands  on  each  anniversary 
of  death  place  upon  the  cold  marble  a  wreath  of  lilies,  emblematical  of  the 
life  of  the  dead  when  living.  God  must  have  been  merciful  to  her,  she  was 
so  good. 


A 


